The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) has lodged a formal denunciation with Sri Lankan authorities against Israeli-American soldier Jake Burkons, citing evidence of his involvement in the destruction of civilian infrastructure during military operations in Gaza.
According to HRF, Burkons, a dual national of Israel and the United States (Texas), served in Company D of the 603rd Combat Engineering Battalion, part of the Israeli army’s 7th Armoured Brigade.
He reportedly enlisted voluntarily after the events of October 7, 2023, and was later deployed to Gaza, where HRF investigators documented his participation in operations they classify as war crimes.
The rights group stated that Burkons is currently present in Sri Lanka, traveling after his deployment.
In light of the allegations, HRF urged Sri Lankan authorities to take legal action consistent with international humanitarian law, stressing that states have a duty to investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute individuals suspected of grave breaches.
“The presence of such individuals on their territory engages their responsibility to act,” HRF emphasized.
The foundation also noted that Burkons’ case reflects a broader pattern of conduct by members of the 603rd Combat Engineering Battalion and other units operating in Gaza, underscoring the need for accountability mechanisms to address alleged violations.
Full statement:
The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) has formally filed a denunciation with the competent authorities in Sri Lanka concerning Israeli-American soldier Jake Burkons, based on evidence of his involvement in war crimes committed in the Gaza Strip.
Jake Burkons, a dual national of Israel and the United States (Texas), served in Company D of the 603rd Combat Engineering Battalion, part of the 7th Armoured Brigade of the Israeli army.
He voluntarily enlisted following the events of 7 October 2023 and was subsequently deployed to Gaza, where he took part in military operations extensively documented by HRF investigators.
A Battalion of Systematic Destruction
The 603rd Combat Engineering Battalion has emerged, through extensive documentation, as a central operational unit in the widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure across Gaza. While nominally tasked with engineering functions such as mine clearance and fortification, its activities in practice have consisted of the systematic demolition of civilian areas.
HRF has documented at least 65 controlled demolitions carried out by the battalion between October 2023 and mid-2025. These operations targeted residential buildings, mosques, agricultural land, and industrial facilities. The unit has also been implicated in attacks on hospitals and in the unlawful detention and ill-treatment of civilians.
These actions form part of a broader pattern of conduct aimed at rendering large parts of Gaza uninhabitable and facilitating territorial fragmentation, including through the creation of military corridors such as the so-called “Morag Axis” in southern Gaza.
Direct Involvement of Jake Burkons
HRF’s investigation has established Jake Burkons’ direct connection to at least one incident of unlawful destruction in Khan Younis in October–November 2025.
Burkons himself published visual evidence on his social media accounts showing his presence inside Gaza, including in Khan Younis and Rafah. In one instance, he is seen holding a detonation cable inside a destroyed civilian building alongside fellow soldiers, indicating active participation in a controlled demolition.
In another, he shared footage of such a demolition operation, geotagged to Khan Younis and marked with his company’s insignia.
Controlled demolitions are highly methodical operations requiring prior entry into buildings, placement of explosives, and withdrawal under secure conditions. As such, they are incompatible with active combat scenarios and strongly indicate the absence of immediate military necessity. Under international humanitarian law, such destruction of civilian property is unlawful when not justified by concrete and direct military advantage.
Legal Qualification of the Acts
The acts documented in relation to Jake Burkons and his unit may constitute multiple war crimes under international law, including:
- Extensive destruction of property not justified by military necessity;
- Intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects;
- Attacking or bombarding undefended buildings and civilian areas.
The available evidence indicates that the targeted structures did not meet the criteria of military objectives at the time of their destruction. Their demolition appears instead to have been carried out as part of a broader policy of territorial control and forced displacement.
Presence in Sri Lanka and Legal Action
HRF has established that Jake Burkons is currently present in Sri Lanka, where he has been travelling following his deployment.
In light of the seriousness of the allegations and the existence of credible evidence linking him to war crimes, the Hind Rajab Foundation has submitted a formal denunciation to the Sri Lankan authorities, urging them to take appropriate legal action in accordance with their obligations under international law.
States have a duty to investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute individuals suspected of committing grave breaches of international humanitarian law. The presence of such individuals on their territory engages their responsibility to act.
Towards Accountability
The case of Jake Burkons is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of conduct by members of the 603rd Combat Engineering Battalion and other units operating in Gaza.
HRF continues to monitor, document, and pursue legal action against individuals implicated in war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Accountability is not optional. It is a legal obligation.
The Hind Rajab Foundation will continue to work with national and international partners to ensure that perpetrators of international crimes are identified, exposed, and brought before competent judicial authorities. (Newswire/ Hind Rajab Foundation)