Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's EU delegate: Belgium categorically refused to touch Russian assets in its banks for fear of a Russian judicial backlash
Al Mayadeen's EU delegate: The European Union has failed to reach an agreement on the use of Russian assets frozen in Belgium
Trump: Will be seeing land action in Venezuela soon
Trump: first question to Xi will be fentanyl
Trump on reports of B1 bombers near Venezuela: Reports are not accurate
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The death toll from the airstrike that targeted the town of Arabsalim in South Lebanon has risen to two, in addition to four injuries
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: An Israeli airstrike targeted the town of Arabsalim
Putin on new sanctions against Russia: Russia's energy sector remains confident, though some losses are expected
Putin calls talk of supplying Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv an attempt at escalation
Putin says he discussed with Trump the impact of the situation with Russian oil supplies on global prices, including in the United States

Belgium launches first-ever EU war crimes probe into Israeli troops

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 21 Jul 2025 18:11
3 Min Read

Belgian authorities detained and questioned two Israeli soldiers at Tomorrowland over alleged war crimes in Gaza, marking a precedent-setting move under universal jurisdiction.

Listen
  • x
  • AP
    People listen to DJs Odymel and Pegassi performing at the Tomorrowland music festival in Boom, Belgium, Friday, July 18, 2025, two days after a huge fire on Wednesday severely damaged the main stage, right (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Belgian federal police detained and interrogated two Israeli soldiers accused of committing war crimes during "Israel's" genocidal campaign in Gaza. The operation was carried out following an urgent legal complaint filed by the Hind Rajab Foundation and the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN).

The two suspects were identified at the Tomorrowland music festival in Boom, where they were arrested "with a clear show of force." Belgian authorities later confirmed that both individuals were formally interrogated and released, with the Federal Prosecutor's Office stating that a criminal investigation is now underway.

"This development is a significant step forward," said the Hind Rajab Foundation and GLAN in a joint statement. "It signals that Belgium has recognized its jurisdiction under international law and is treating the allegations with the seriousness they deserve."

Accountability Begins

The organizations stressed that this marks the first time in Europe that Israeli suspects linked to the Gaza war have faced formal arrest and questioning, an unprecedented moment in the broader campaign to hold Israeli forces accountable for violations committed against Palestinians.

Related News

IOF report soldier killed, troops injured hours before ceasefire

Death chases Israeli troops to Jordan; 2 killed in border shooting

"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."

While cautioning that "justice has not been served, not yet," the statement affirmed that "something important has begun."

"To the victims and survivors in Gaza: we see you, we hear you, and we carry your demands for justice forward," the foundation declared, addressing the families and communities devastated by "Israel's" assault.

Justice Breakthrough

The move follows widespread international condemnation of "Israel's" actions in Gaza, where entire neighborhoods have been flattened, medical infrastructure decimated, and thousands of civilians killed, including children like Hind Rajab, the five-year-old Palestinian girl after whom the Foundation is named. Her killing by Israeli forces on January 29, 2024, has become a symbol of the wider brutality inflicted upon Gaza's population.

"To those who believed impunity was permanent: this moment shows that it is not," the statement continued. "And to states watching around the world: universal jurisdiction is not just a principle, it is an obligation."

Describing the arrests as a "breakthrough," the Hind Rajab Foundation and GLAN urged Belgian authorities to pursue the investigation "fully and independently," stressing: "Justice must not stop here, and we are committed to seeing it through."

This marks a rare instance in which Western legal mechanisms have responded to Palestinian demands for justice, offering a glimmer of accountability amid ongoing suffering in Gaza.

Read more: UNICEF to Al Mayadeen: Gaza deadliest place for children on earth

  • Israeli soldiers
  • war crimes
  • Hind Rajab
  • Gaza
  • Belgium
  • Hind Rajab Foundation
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
A woman with her purchased groceries walks out from an underground market, in Beijing, Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Global brands in China face pressure from rising local rivals

  • Economy
  • 17 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Palestinians walk through the destruction caused by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Gaza City, Thursday, October 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Politics

Unexploded ordnances in Gaza may take 30 yrs to clear, aid group says

Police stand guard before a press conference on the extradition of “Tren de Aragua” gang members from the United States, at the a high-security prison where they are being held in Santiago, Chile, Wednesday, October 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Esteban Félix)
Politics

US immigration policies shaped by false 'Venezuela gang' threats

Demonstrators march at a protest opposing "Operation Midway Blitz" and the presence of ICE, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, in Chicago (AP)
Politics

HRW slams federal agents use of excessive force in Illinois protests

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meets with the Lebanese Prime Minister Nawwaf Salam ahead of a Cabinet meeting in the Presidential Palace, Baabda, Lebanon, October 23, 2025 (X/ @LBPresidency)
Politics

Lebanon OKs sea demarcation with Cyprus, restarts Block 8 exploration

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS