Belgian federal police briefly detained and interrogated two Israeli soldiers at the Tomorrowland music festival in Boom after human-rights groups filed a criminal complaint accusing them of war crimes committed during Israel’s 2024-25 military operations in Gaza. The Hind Rajab Foundation and the Global Legal Action Network allege the men, believed to belong to the Israel Defense Forces’ Givati Brigade, participated in deliberate attacks on civilians, torture and forced displacement. Acting on the complaint, prosecutors said they questioned the suspects on Sunday and released them while a formal investigation continues. Prosecutors indicated Belgium may assert universal jurisdiction, which allows national courts to pursue grave international crimes regardless of where they occurred. If the case proceeds, it would be the first in Europe in which Israeli personnel face legal action over the Gaza conflict, underscoring mounting efforts to test the limits of international accountability.
Deux soldats israéliens arrêtés en Belgique, soupçonnés de crimes de guerre à Gaza ➡️ https://t.co/UgI75jld90 https://t.co/ueww8qn9zl
Belgian authorities arrest 2 Israeli war crimes suspects after Hind Rajab Foundation/GLAN complaint. Alleged war criminals captured at music festival... https://t.co/REU1lSvXzq
Two Israelis questioned in Belgium over war crime allegations in Gaza https://t.co/t8qgsdLRit