A Chilean court is reviewing a criminal complaint against Rom Kovtun, a former Israeli army sniper accused of war crimes during the siege of Gaza. Kovtun, who served in Israel’s 424th Shaked Battalion, posted photos online showing he was vacationing in Chile. This move has opened the door for legal action under “universal jurisdiction,” which allows courts to try foreign nationals for serious crimes like genocide and crimes against humanity. The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), based in Belgium and named after a young Palestinian girl killed in Gaza, filed the complaint. The group uses social media posts by Israeli soldiers to build legal cases. HRF lawyer Pablo Andres Araya explained Chile’s laws include the ICC’s Rome Statute, enabling courts to try cases when the accused won’t face trial in their home country. "There’s no question that soldiers who’ve committed atrocities in Gaza will not be tried by Netanyahu," Araya said. According to reports, Kovtun was involved in the siege of Gaza’s largest hospital, al-Shifa, from March to April 2024. The siege cut off essentials like water and medicine, causing around 500 deaths, including medical staff and newborns. Chile hosts the largest Palestinian community outside the Middle East, and locals generally support the Palestinian cause, but legal experts say this sentiment won’t influence the case, which could take years to resolve. Meanwhile, Chile is no longer seen as a safe vacation spot for Israeli soldiers linked to Gaza operations.