AFP Reviewing Allegation of Gaza War Crimes by Australian Serving in IDF

What happened

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) are currently assessing a 61-page brief submitted by the Australian Centre for International Justice (ACIJ) that alleges war crimes committed by an Australian citizen serving in an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) battalion operating in Gaza during 2023 and 2024. The allegations focus on the deliberate targeting and destruction of residential buildings lacking military justification, actions which the brief argues constitute war crimes under Australian law.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. The material presented to the AFP draws on multiple forms of evidence, including witness testimony, forensic analysis from Gaza, verified satellite imagery, and publicly available social media content. It also references internal battalion reports, video footage posted online purportedly by the Australian soldier, and statements from IDF commanders, providing a broad range of sources that are being reviewed by investigators.

Central to the complaint is the destruction of a residential building in a Gaza suburb that the IDF allegedly used as an operations base before demolishing it with explosives. The brief claims the Australian national was present at or near the building during its targeted demolition. The document further alleges this conduct was part of a widespread and systematic pattern of attacks on civilian property executed in a coordinated manner by the battalion.

Known from the source

• AFP has received a 61-page brief from the Australian Centre for International Justice alleging war crimes by an Australian citizen serving in the IDF in Gaza in 2023 and 2024.
• The allegations include deliberate destruction of residential buildings without military justification.
• The brief draws on witness testimony, forensic evidence, satellite imagery, social media posts, battalion reports, video evidence including from the alleged Australian soldier, and IDF command statements.
• The brief alleges a pattern of widespread and systematic attacks on civilian property by an IDF battalion.
• AFP's Commander of Special Investigations has publicly acknowledged receipt of the brief and committed to review the material.

What remains unclear

In response, AFP's Commander of Special Investigations, Matthew Gale, confirmed receipt of the brief and noted the office's mandate to investigate war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Prior government documents confirm AFP's awareness of such allegations against Australians serving in the IDF and its cooperation with international law enforcement channels in these matters.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Verification of the identity and current status of the Australian citizen named in the brief. Independent confirmation of the deliberate targeting and destruction of residential buildings by the IDF battalion as alleged. Corroboration of the Australian soldier’s presence at the site of the building demolition during operations.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: The Guardian Gaza. Open the source.