BRUSSELS, Belgium – Belgian authorities have questioned two Israeli military personnel over allegations of serious breaches of international humanitarian law in Gaza, the Federal Prosecutor’s Office in Brussels announced Monday. The interrogations took place after legal complaints were filed by the Hind Rajab Foundation and the Global Legal Action Network.
Belgian authorities interrogate Israeli military members over Gaza allegations
Two members of the Israeli military were questioned in Belgium following complaints alleging war crimes in Gaza.
- Belgian authorities interrogated two Israeli military members.
- Complaints were filed by the Hind Rajab Foundation and Global Legal Action Network.
- The interrogations fall under a new Belgian law allowing jurisdiction over international crimes.
- The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed the interrogations and release of the individuals.
Belgian authorities interrogated two members of the Israeli military following allegations of serious breaches of international humanitarian law committed in Gaza.
The two individuals were questioned after legal complaints were submitted on Friday and Saturday. This occurred while the soldiers were attending the Tomorrowland music festival in Belgium.
“In light of this potential jurisdiction, the Federal Prosecutor’s Office requested the police to locate and interrogate the two individuals named in the complaint,” the prosecutor’s office stated in a written release on Monday. “Following these interrogations, they were released.”
The questioning was conducted under a new provision in Belgium’s Code of Criminal Procedure, which became effective last year. This law empowers Belgian courts to investigate alleged violations that occur abroad, provided these acts fall under international treaties ratified by Belgium. These include the 1949 Geneva Conventions and the 1984 UN Convention Against Torture.
The prosecutor’s office indicated that no further information would be released at this stage of the investigation.
Campaign for Accountability
The Hind Rajab Foundation, headquartered in Belgium, has been advocating for legal action against Israeli soldiers concerning alleged war crimes in Gaza. The foundation is named after a six-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed by Israeli fire. She died while attempting to flee Gaza City with her family early in Israel’s war on Gaza.
Since its establishment last year, the foundation has lodged numerous complaints in over 10 countries. These complaints target both lower-ranking and high-ranking Israeli military personnel.
The group described Monday’s developments as “a turning point in the global pursuit of accountability.”
“We will continue to support the ongoing proceedings and call on Belgian authorities to pursue the investigation fully and independently,” the foundation said in a statement. “Justice must not stop here – and we are committed to seeing it through.”
The statement also added, “At a time when far too many governments remain silent, this action sends a clear message: credible evidence of international crimes must be met with legal response – not political indifference.”
Israel’s Response
Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the incident. It stated that one Israeli citizen and one soldier were interrogated and subsequently released. “Israeli authorities dealt with this issue and are in touch with the two,” the ministry said in a statement, as cited by The Associated Press.
This event unfolds amid escalating international condemnation of Israel’s actions in its war on Gaza. On Monday, more than two dozen Western nations called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, citing that suffering in the region had “reached new depths.”
After more than 21 months of conflict, which has led to catastrophic humanitarian conditions for Gaza’s population of over two million, allies including Britain, France, Australia, Canada, and 21 other countries, alongside the European Union, issued a joint statement asserting that the war “must end now.”
“The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths,” the signatories commented, advocating for a negotiated ceasefire, the release of hostages held by Palestinian armed groups, and unimpeded access for vital aid.
On Sunday, the World Food Programme accused Israel of using tanks, snipers, and other weapons to fire on a crowd of Palestinians seeking food aid. The convoy encountered large crowds after crossing the Zikim crossing into Gaza, and these civilians were subsequently attacked.
The World Food Programme stated on X, formerly Twitter, “As the convoy approached, the surrounding crowd came under fire from Israeli tanks, snipers and other gunfire.” The incident reportedly resulted in the loss of “countless lives” with many others sustaining critical injuries.
“These people were simply trying to access food to feed themselves and their families on the brink of starvation. This terrible incident underscores the increasingly dangerous conditions under which humanitarian operations are forced to be conducted in Gaza,” the organization added.
Gaza’s Health Ministry characterized the Israeli attack, which claimed the lives of at least 92 people, as one of the war’s deadliest days for civilians attempting to access humanitarian assistance.
Broader Context of Gaza Conflict
According to local health officials, more than 59,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Israel commenced its war in October 2023. A significant portion of the territory remains in ruins, facing severe shortages of food, medicine, and other necessities due to Israel’s ongoing blockade.
