13/01/2025
Major General Ghassan Alian, head of the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), is currently in Rome, facing allegations of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes filed by the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) with the International Criminal Court (ICC) and Italian authorities. The HRF demands his immediate arrest, citing his pivotal role in the siege and destruction of Gaza, as well as his public dehumanization of Palestinians, referring to them as “human animals.” With no diplomatic immunity, Alian is fully subject to prosecution under international law.
Since assuming leadership of COGAT in April 2021, Alian has overseen policies in the occupied Palestinian territories, including the West Bank and Gaza. Following October 7, 2023, he enforced a total blockade on Gaza, depriving millions of food, water, electricity, and medical supplies. The resulting humanitarian catastrophe, including mass starvation, civilian deaths, and the destruction of critical infrastructure such as hospitals, has been widely condemned by the United Nations and human rights organizations. These actions, labeled as collective punishment, violate the Geneva Conventions and constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The ICC has previously issued arrest warrants for Israeli officials like Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for similar crimes, including weaponizing famine and attacking civilian infrastructure. Alian’s leadership of COGAT ensured the implementation of these policies, highlighting his direct involvement in actions with genocidal intent, as evidenced by his inflammatory rhetoric and systematic destruction of Gaza’s population and infrastructure.
The HRF has stressed Italy’s legal obligation as a signatory to the Rome Statute to arrest Alian and pursue justice for the victims. Lawyer Haroon Raza emphasized that COGAT’s policies under Alian’s leadership represent prohibited collective punishment under international law. Italy’s failure to act would not only undermine its international credibility but also embolden perpetrators of similar crimes.
The HRF’s chairman, Dyab Abou Jahjah, has framed Alian’s presence in Rome as a crucial test of Italy’s commitment to justice and the rule of law. Arresting Alian would send a powerful message that impunity for war crimes and crimes against humanity is unacceptable. Allowing him to leave unchallenged, however, would mark a grave failure to uphold the principles of international justice.
This moment is critical not only for Italy but for the global fight against impunity. Alian’s actions have caused immeasurable suffering, and his accountability would honor the memory of the victims and restore faith in international law. Time is of the essence.