Full Breakdown
Investigation into Targeted Killings of the Doghmosh Family by Israeli Snipers
9/12/2025, 5:04:46 AM
Overview of the Incident
On November 22, 2023, Israeli snipers, identified as Daniel Raab and Daniel Graetz, allegedly killed four members of the Doghmosh family in Gaza City. The incident occurred during a military operation where the snipers, part of a unit known as "Refaim" or "ghosts," targeted unarmed individuals. The investigation, conducted by The Guardian, Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ), Paper Trail Media, Der Spiegel, and ZDF, revealed a pattern of systematic killings that may constitute war crimes.
Details of the Killings
The Doghmosh family members targeted included 19-year-old Salem Doghmosh, his 26-year-old brother Mohammed, their father Montasser, and a cousin, Mohammed Farid. Salem was shot in the head while attempting to retrieve his brother's body, and Montasser was killed shortly thereafter. Eyewitness accounts and video evidence corroborate the sequence of events, with Raab admitting to the shootings in a video interview, expressing no remorse for his actions. He claimed, “That was my first elimination,” referring to Salem's death.
Legal Actions and International Response
The European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights, along with three Palestinian human rights organizations, filed a 130-page criminal complaint with Germany's federal prosecutor against Raab, who was born in the United States but raised in Naperville, Illinois. The complaint cites evidence of targeted killings and is filed under Germany's universal jurisdiction laws, which allow prosecution for international crimes committed by individuals with ties to Germany.
In the United States, the Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) has urged the Department of Justice to investigate Raab under the War Crimes Act. CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “The War Crimes Act clearly grants U.S. courts jurisdiction over U.S. nationals who commit grave breaches of the laws of war.”
Criticism and Opposition
Critics of the Israeli military's actions have labeled the ongoing assault on Gaza as genocide, a claim currently under investigation by the International Court of Justice. Legal scholars, including Stanford law professor Tom Dannenbaum, have described the evidence from the investigation as indicative of war crimes. The Israeli military, however, maintains that its operations comply with international law, despite mounting evidence to the contrary.
Eyewitness Accounts and Survivor Testimonies
Survivors of the incident have recounted the traumatic events, with family members attempting to recover the bodies of their loved ones being shot at. Fayza Doghmosh, the mother of Salem and Mohammed, expressed her anguish upon viewing footage of her sons' deaths, stating, “Even if I forgive him, God will not.”
Conclusion
The investigation into the killings of the Doghmosh family highlights serious allegations against Israeli snipers and raises questions about accountability for actions taken during military operations in Gaza. As legal proceedings unfold in Germany and calls for investigations grow in the U.S., the case underscores the broader implications of military conduct in conflict zones and the pursuit of justice for victims of violence.
Verbatim Quotes
- “That was my first elimination,” — Daniel Raab, Israeli sniper
- “Even if I forgive him, God will not,” — Fayza Doghmosh, mother of Salem and Mohammed
- “There must be no double standards – even if the suspects are members of the Israeli armed forces,” — Alexander Schwarz, ECCHR lawyer
- “available evidence points to a war crime.” — Tom Dannenbaum, Stanford law professor
