No Safe Haven for War Criminals: HRF Pursues Israeli Sniper Dani Adega in Portugal

Israeli Sniper Dani Adonya Adega in Gaza

Lisbon / Brussels – 14 July 2025
​
The Hind Rajab Foundation has filed a formal legal complaint in Portugal against Israeli sniper Dani Adonya Adega for his role in the Israeli genocidal campaign in Gaza, which involved grave violations of international law, including targeted killings of civilians during a ceasefire and the appropriation of civilian property for military use.

The complaint was submitted by Portuguese human rights lawyer Carmo Afonso, and is based on extensive documentation gathered by the Foundation’s legal and investigative teams over the past months. The Hind Rajab Foundation has verified Adega’s presence in Lisbon, Portugal, where he was photographed and geolocated in July 2025.

Adega, a sniper affiliated with the 8114th Battalion of the Israeli army, served in Gaza under the 252nd Division, commanded by Brigadier General Yehuda Vach. This division has been widely condemned for establishing the Netzarim Corridor "kill zone", a deadly passage through central Gaza where civilians—many of them children—were systematically shot on sight by sniper teams and armored patrols. 

Adega himself publicly boasted about lethal sniper activity, posting an image on social media with the caption:

“4 rounds, 0 misses 🎯🔥” 

The post was made during a declared ceasefire in early 2025, at a time when Palestinian armed groups had suspended operations. During that ceasefire alone, over 170 Palestinian civilians were killed, with sniper fire accounting for many of the documented deaths. Adega’s social media posts show him operating from inside civilian buildings in Gaza, smiling and posing in uniform while armed with a sniper rifle, often in destroyed residential areas.

"This is not only a matter of justice for Gaza—this is a test for Portugal," said a spokesperson for the Hind Rajab Foundation. "Adega is not hiding. He is walking freely in a European capital after boasting about sniper kills committed during a ceasefire. Portugal must act."

Under the principle of universal jurisdiction, Portugal has the legal authority—and obligation—to detain suspected war criminals found on its territory. The Hind Rajab Foundation is calling on Portuguese authorities to immediately arrest Dani Adonya Adega and initiate criminal proceedings in line with international law.

This complaint is part of the Foundation’s broader campaign to hold Israeli military personnel accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the 2023–2025 Gaza onslaught. The Hind Rajab Foundation reiterates its unshakable commitment to pursuing all individuals involved in war crimes against the Palestinian people—wherever they may be, and regardless of rank or nationality.

This case is not an isolated one. Our legal pipeline is full, with dozens of ongoing investigations and complaints being prepared for submission across multiple jurisdictions. Impunity will no longer be the norm. Justice is coming.