LONDON — Human rights groups have filed for an arrest warrant against Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar during his visit to the UK. They accuse him of war crimes in Gaza, including the siege of Kamal Adwan Hospital and the torture of its director, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiyah.
The Hind Rajab Foundation and the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN) submitted the request to the UK’s Attorney General and Director of Public Prosecutions. They are seeking urgent approval to move forward with an application at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
The complaint states that Sa’ar played a leading role in Israel’s security cabinet, shaping military decisions that led to mass civilian suffering in Gaza. It highlights his involvement in the Kamal Adwan Hospital siege between October 8 and December 27, 2024. During this time, Israeli forces attacked, stormed, and burned the hospital, killing and injuring patients and staff.
Dr. Abu Safiyah, the hospital’s director, was taken by Israeli troops. He was held under inhumane conditions and tortured in Sde Teiman Detention Camp, according to the evidence submitted.
Sa’ar is also accused of aiding and abetting torture and willful killing, destruction of essential civilian infrastructure, and creation of a military “buffer zone” through mass displacement.
A police complaint was also filed with London’s Metropolitan Police.
Sa’ar reportedly arrived in the UK on October 14 and met with Foreign Secretary David Lammy the next day. Human rights groups say this should have triggered legal action.
“UK officials are failing to abide by the law,” said Gearóid Ó Cuinn, GLAN’s director. “We’ve submitted evidence that shows Gideon Sa’ar’s role in the deaths and destruction in Gaza. Offering him handshakes instead of handcuffs betrays justice.”
Dyab Abou Jahjah, founder of the Hind Rajab Foundation, said: “He cannot walk freely in London while Palestinians lie under rubble. His role in starvation and mass killing must be held accountable.”
The arrest request is backed by doctors and experts familiar with Gaza. Among them is Dr. Ghassan Abu Sitta, a British-Palestinian surgeon who worked in Gaza after October 7, 2023. Dr. Azra Zyada, a healthcare strategy expert of Palestinian descent, also contributed evidence.
“This is a test of Britain’s moral strength,” said Dr. Zyada. “Justice matters. If we tolerate this, our children could be next.”
Sa’ar is already named in a separate complaint at the International Criminal Court (ICC) over supporting policies that caused starvation, destruction, and forced displacement in Gaza.
This marks the first known legal effort to arrest a sitting Israeli minister on UK soil for war crimes. The groups say more legal steps are coming if the UK fails to act. — QNN
