Dutch Court Upholds Immunity for Gantz in Gaza Civilian Deaths Case

The Dutch Supreme Court has upheld a ruling that former Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz and former Air Force Commander Amir Eshel are protected from civil proceedings in the Netherlands over their roles in a deadly 2014 Gaza airstrike. The court confirmed that the two senior IDF officers enjoy "functional immunity" and cannot be sued for civilian deaths. Ismail Ziada, a Palestinian man who lost six family members in the airstrike, had sought damages of 600,000 euros ($650,000) and argued that the men's actions amounted to war crimes. Ziada expressed disappointment and is considering appealing to the European Court of Human Rights. Gantz praised Israel's "strong and independent judicial system" and emphasized the need to protect it.