Aaron Bayhack, a 22-year-old from Johannesburg, South Africa, has been exposed as a member of the Israeli Defense Forces’ (IDF) notorious “Ghost Unit.”
Story Summary:
- South African national Aaron Bayhack has been exposed as a sniper in the IDF’s deadly Ghost Unit, known for civilian killings in Gaza.
- Investigative journalist Younis Tiwari’s documentary uncovered his involvement in the controversial unit.
- Meanwhile, the South African government has warned citizens about the legal consequences of joining foreign military forces like the IDF amid the escalating Gaza conflict.
Who is Aaron Bayhack? – Here’s what we know
This revelation comes from an explosive documentary by Palestinian journalist Younis Tiwari, which delves into the involvement of international soldiers in a sniper squad accused of war crimes in Gaza.
Bayhack, a former student at King David High School in Linksfield, was a top-performing matriculant in 2020, earning distinctions in several subjects, including Math Literacy.
Despite his relatively quiet public presence, he became the focus of controversy after the documentary linked him to a series of brutal attacks on unarmed civilians in Gaza.
Bayhack linked to IDF’s deadly ‘Ghost Unit’
The “Ghost Unit,” or “Refaim” in Hebrew, is an elite sniper squad operating under the IDF’s 202 Paratroopers Battalion.
The unit has garnered international condemnation for its role in targeted killings and extrajudicial executions during the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Tiwari’s documentary delves into the Ghost Unit’s operations, revealing that members of the squad, including Bayhack, participated in shooting unarmed civilians.
One particularly shocking incident involved snipers killing individuals attempting to retrieve bodies near Al-Quds Red Crescent Hospital in Gaza.
According to the documentary, the Ghost Unit comprises individuals from various countries, including the United States, Germany, Italy, and South Africa.
The unit’s snipers are known for their precision and brutal tactics, often targeting civilians from considerable distances.
Bayhack’s involvement has led to widespread outrage, with many questioning how a South African citizen ended up fighting in a foreign military known for its controversial actions in Gaza.
Tiwari’s investigation was triggered by a video posted on social media showing members of the Ghost Unit executing unarmed civilians.
The video led to a deep dive into the identities of those involved, eventually unmasking Bayhack and others as key figures in the sniper operations.
The documentary further highlighted the unit’s operations around Gaza, particularly near hospitals and civilian areas, making their actions especially heinous under international humanitarian law.
In December 2023, the South African government issued stern warnings to its citizens regarding joining foreign military forces, particularly the IDF.
In light of the Gaza conflict, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) made it clear that South Africans enlisting in the IDF could face severe legal repercussions under the Regulation of the Foreign Military Assistance Act and the South African Citizenship Act.
This legislation strictly prohibits South Africans from joining foreign military operations without government approval.
DIRCO’s warning comes amid growing concern over the number of South Africans reportedly joining the IDF.
While exact figures remain undisclosed, the department cautioned that such involvement could lead to loss of citizenship and possible prosecution.
The government’s position is clear: participating in international conflicts, particularly in contentious regions like Gaza, risks complicity in international crimes and undermines South Africa’s stance on global justice.
A statement from the department about Bayhack’s involvement in the atrocities committed by the IDF’s ‘Ghost Unit’ was not received when this article was published.