NextFin news, On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, German-born Israeli soldier Daniel G., originally from Munich, was accused of killing unarmed civilians in Gaza City while serving as a sniper in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The allegations were detailed in a report by DER SPIEGEL, based on a covert video interview and corroborating visual evidence.
The accusations emerged from a video interview conducted in summer 2024, in which a fellow soldier, identified as "Sergeant D.", admitted on camera that he and Daniel G. had shot and killed several unarmed men during their deployment in the Gaza Strip. The interview was recorded under false pretenses by Palestinian journalist Younis Tirawi and an Israeli partner, who convinced "Sergeant D." to participate in what he believed was a documentary about Israeli military heroes.
DER SPIEGEL verified the authenticity of the footage with the Fraunhofer Institute for Secure Information Technology, which found no evidence of manipulation. The interview reveals that Daniel G. and his unit, the 202nd Paratrooper Brigade, were involved in the deaths of more than 120 people, many of whom were unarmed civilians. The killings reportedly took place near hospitals and civilian areas in Gaza City, including Munir-al-Rajjis Street in the Tel al-Hawa district.
The video evidence includes thermal imaging footage and scenes originally uploaded by an Israeli soldier to YouTube in April 2024, showing people collapsing after gunfire and dead bodies lying in the streets. The footage was removed from YouTube but has been preserved and analyzed by DER SPIEGEL and its partners.
Daniel G., now 25 years old, was identified through social media and public photos, including one showing him alongside Charlotte Knobloch, president of the Jewish Community of Munich. His partner, "Sergeant D.", is from Chicago. Both served in the same sniper unit during the Gaza conflict.
The allegations come amid ongoing international scrutiny of the Israeli military's conduct in Gaza following the October 2023 Hamas attacks on southern Israel, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians. The Israeli army launched a ground offensive in Gaza weeks later, with reports of civilian casualties drawing widespread condemnation and accusations of war crimes.
Human rights groups in Germany have since sought to prosecute Daniel G. for his alleged role in targeted killings of unarmed civilians. The case highlights the complex and contentious nature of the conflict and the challenges of investigating alleged war crimes in Gaza, where access for independent journalists remains restricted.
Sources: DER SPIEGEL (September 10, 2025), The Times of Israel (September 10, 2025)
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