Belgian authorities have referred war crimes complaints against two Israeli occupation soldiers to the International Criminal Court (ICC), signaling a powerful rebuke of Israel’s ongoing atrocities in Gaza.

The decision, announced by the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office on July 30, is a beacon of hope for Palestinians enduring relentless oppression under Israeli occupation.

The complaints, courageously filed by the Hind Rajab Foundation and the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN), target two soldiers from Israel’s Givati Brigade, who were brazenly spotted waving their unit’s flag at the Tomorrowland music festival in Boom, Belgium. Acting swiftly on complaints submitted in early July, Belgian federal police arrested the soldiers on July 21, leveraging Belgium’s groundbreaking universal jurisdiction law, enacted in April 2024. This law, grounded in international treaties like the Geneva Conventions, empowers Belgium to prosecute heinous crimes committed beyond its borders, offering a lifeline to victims of Israel’s aggression.

The soldiers stand accused of horrific crimes, including genocide, torture, arbitrary detention, and the inhumane use of Palestinian civilians as human shields—acts that epitomize Israel’s brutal campaign against Gaza’s defenseless population. Evidence, including damning social media posts showing the soldiers destroying Palestinian property and posing with a civilian used as a shield, was submitted to the ICC. The referral underscores Belgium’s unwavering commitment to justice for Palestinians and its duty to confront Israel’s impunity.

“This is a triumph for the Palestinian cause,” declared a spokesperson for the Hind Rajab Foundation, named in honor of six-year-old Hind Rajab, martyred by Israeli forces in Gaza City. “Belgium’s courageous action proves that the world is watching and will hold Israel accountable for its genocidal war on our people.” Since its founding in 2024, the foundation has tirelessly pursued justice, filing complaints against over 1,000 Israeli soldiers across more than ten countries, using social media and geolocation data to expose their crimes.

The ICC, already investigating Israel’s war crimes and crimes against humanity in Palestine, issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Security Minister Yoav Gallant. This latest referral amplifies the global demand for accountability, as Palestinian voices, backed by human rights groups like B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, condemn Israel’s systematic destruction of Gaza’s society, healthcare system, and very existence.

Israel’s predictable outrage led to the summoning of a Belgian diplomat, but Belgium stood firm. In a rare and powerful statement, King Philippe denounced the catastrophic situation in Gaza as “a disgrace to all of humanity,” echoing the cries of Palestinians enduring a genocidal siege since October 2023. Belgium’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the diplomatic meeting but refused to bow to Israeli pressure.

Legal experts see Belgium’s move as a turning point, inspiring other nations to wield universal jurisdiction against Israel’s war criminals. “This is a clarion call for justice,” said international law expert Dr. Elise Moreau. “Belgium has shown that the Palestinian struggle will not be ignored, and others must follow.”

While the soldiers were released after questioning, their whereabouts remain unknown, and the Hind Rajab Foundation is urging the ICC to issue arrest warrants swiftly. As Gaza continues to suffer under Israel’s merciless bombardment, Belgium’s resolute action stands as a testament to the unbreakable spirit of Palestinian resistance and the growing global solidarity demanding an end to occupation and injustice. (ILKHA)