Belgium Sends Israeli Soldiers' Gaza War Crimes Case to ICC After Tomorrowland Sighting

• by Arlen Fitzpatrick
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Belgium Refers Israeli Soldiers to ICC After Festival Sighting

Spotting two Israeli soldiers at Belgium's world-famous Tomorrowland music festival set off a chain of events nobody expected. On July 18, 2025, Belgian authorities detained and questioned the men after they were identified by the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), a local pro-Palestinian organization. The pair were later released without conditions, but the story was only beginning.

According to federal prosecutors, the HRF had filed detailed complaints accusing the soldiers of serious violations of international humanitarian law. The list isn't short. Allegations include arbitrary detentions, acts of torture, using human shields, and even involvement in the widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza. There are also claims tying them to mass atrocities against Palestinians, all during military operations in the region.

What gives Belgium the power to act on such a case? The answer sits in the pages of international law. Belgian prosecutors say they're acting under the country's obligations as a party to the 1949 Geneva Conventions and the 1984 United Nations Convention against Torture. Both agreements allow nations like Belgium to claim universal jurisdiction— meaning if a suspected war criminal enters their territory, they can investigate or prosecute.

ICC's Wider Probe | HRF Calls for Urgency

This handover to the ICC comes while the court is already knee-deep in a sweeping investigation into possible war crimes in the Palestinian territories. In 2024, the ICC’s prosecutor even issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of bearing responsibility for similar alleged violations during recent military campaigns in Gaza.

For the HRF, which first raised the alarm, the referral marks a significant move. Their spokesperson described it as "a step forward" and called on the Hague-based court to push ahead with urgency. The Foundation has spent months gathering documentation and eyewitness testimony from Gaza, hoping to connect personal stories with what they say is growing evidence of systemic abuses during Israel’s military operations.

Meanwhile, Israel continues to push back against these allegations, maintaining its armed forces operate within international rules and accusing critics of political bias. But Belgium’s decision shows European governments are willing to use legal routes under global treaties when they believe justice is on the line—especially as other countries monitor how far universal jurisdiction can go.

So, what happens next? The ICC will review the Belgian referral alongside its ongoing investigation. It’s not clear how fast things will move, but the spotlight on the wider conflict, and the high-profile nature of the accused, means this case won’t be fading quietly into the background any time soon.