Israel's dual-national snipers in Gaza | Bird's Eye View

Key Concepts

• Ghost Unit: Nickname for an elite Israeli sniper unit, the ninth platoon of the auxiliary company of the 202nd paratroopers battalion.
• Kill Zones: Designated areas in Gaza where Israeli snipers operated, with anyone entering considered a threat and subject to being killed.
• Elimination: Term used by a sniper to describe a kill.
• Universal Jurisdiction: A legal principle that allows national courts to prosecute certain international crimes, regardless of where the crime was committed or the nationality of the perpetrator or victim.
• War Crimes: Serious violations of the laws and customs applicable in international armed conflict.
• Crimes Against Humanity: Widespread or systematic attacks directed against any civilian population.
• Genocide: Acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.

Elite Israeli Sniper Unit Operations in Gaza

This summary details the findings of Al Jazeera's digital investigations team, SANAD, regarding the operations of an elite Israeli sniper unit, dubbed the "Ghost Unit," in Gaza City and Khan Younis between November 2023 and February 2024. The investigation, supported by satellite imagery and open-source information, points to a pattern of sniper-style attacks on unarmed Palestinian civilians, including women, children, and medics, with alleged approval from higher military ranks.

Deployment and Targets

• November 2023: An elite Israeli sniper unit occupied positions in tall buildings surrounding Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City.
• December 2023: Israeli ground forces launched a major assault into the western district of Khan Younis, encircling Al-Amal Hospital and the Nasser Medical Complex.
• February 15, 2024: Soldiers stormed the Nasser Medical Complex, forcing out medical staff, patients, and sheltering civilians, rendering the hospital inoperative.
• During this period, the "Ghost Unit" was reportedly operating around Al-Quds and Nasser hospitals, engaging in "silent killer" operations.

The "Ghost Unit" Composition and Structure

• Identity: The unit is identified as the ninth platoon of the auxiliary company of the Israeli military's 202nd paratroopers battalion.
• Membership: Composed of both Israeli and Israeli dual nationals.
• Structure: Described by former soldier Daniel Rab as highly trained sniper teams operating independently in four-person squads, under the command of the 202nd company leadership.
• Notable Dual Nationals:
  • Daniel Rab (Israeli-American, from Chicago)
  • Sasha A. (French-Israeli)
  • Gabriel B.H. (French-Israeli)
  • Alan Benira (Belgian-Israeli)
  • Aaron Behack (South African-Israeli)
  • Rafael Kajia (Italian-Israeli)
  • Daniel Grates (German-Israeli)

Case Study: The Dogmash Family Killings

Daniel Rab, a central figure in Palestinian journalist Younis Tarawi's documentary "The Ghost Unit," provided a firsthand account of his actions.

• First Kill: Rab described his first "elimination" as that of 19-year-old Salum Dogmash, who was unarmed and attempting to recover the body of his brother, 26-year-old Muhammad, who had been shot dead in the street.
• Subsequent Killings: While the father of the Dogmash brothers attempted to reach his sons' bodies, another sniper from Rab's team killed him. An unknown sniper later killed a fourth member of the Dogmash family.
• "Kill Zones": Rab stated that anyone entering these designated "kill zones," known only to the Israeli snipers, was considered a threat and could be killed. The Dogmash brothers had entered such a zone while collecting scrap metal to support their family.
• Violation of International Law: The recovery of bodies is protected under international humanitarian law and Israel's own military code. Sniping unarmed civilians is also considered a potential war crime.

Legal Complaints and Accountability Efforts

Following the release of Tarawi's documentary in October 2024, legal complaints have been filed against six of the dual Israeli nationals in their respective home countries.

• International Human Rights Organizations: A coalition of these organizations is spearheading these legal actions.
• Accusations:
  • Sasha A. and Gabriel B.H. (French-Israeli): Accused of willful killings constituting war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
  • Aaron Behack (South African-Israeli): Accused of possible war crimes.
  • Alan Benira (Belgian-Israeli): Investigated for possible war crimes under universal jurisdiction laws by the association Belgo-Palestinien.
  • Daniel Grates (German-Israeli): Faces possible war crimes charges, with a criminal complaint filed with the German federal prosecutor's office.
  • Rafael Kajia (Italian-Israeli): Investigated for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity by Strali in Italy.
• Challenges to Accountability: The International Criminal Court (ICC), the principal venue for human rights criminal accountability, is reportedly "hobbled by US sanctions," which could impede investigations into these cases.
• Legal Process: As of the time of publishing, all six complaints are in the preliminary stages. Justice, if attainable, is expected to take years.

Conclusion

The investigation by SANAD and the subsequent legal actions highlight serious allegations of war crimes committed by an elite Israeli sniper unit. The testimony of former soldier Daniel Rab, corroborated by satellite imagery and open-source information, points to a systematic approach to killing unarmed civilians in designated "kill zones." While legal efforts are underway in several countries, the path to international justice is presented as challenging and potentially lengthy, with the ICC's capacity to investigate being a significant concern. The core question remains whether sufficient evidence and political will will emerge to hold individuals accountable in an international court.