Belgium refers case of Israeli soldiers to International Criminal Court

Belgium has referred the case of two Israeli soldiers arrested at the Tomorrowland music festival to the International Criminal Court (ICC), amid ongoing investigations into violations of humanitarian law in Gaza.

The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed on July 30 that it handed over the files concerning the two members of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to the ICC, Caliber.Az reports per Belgian media.

"The International Criminal Court is currently investigating possible serious violations of humanitarian law in the Palestinian territories,” the statement reads. 

The men, believed to be part of the IDF's Givati Brigade, were present at the festival on July 19–20, where they reportedly waved their unit's flag during an Israeli DJ’s performance. A formal complaint was lodged by the Hind Rajab Foundation and the NGO Global Legal Action Network (GLAN), alleging their involvement in war crimes in Gaza.

The Belgian authorities located and questioned the individuals but did not detain them.

After analysing the complaints, the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office has decided to refer the files to the International Criminal Court (ICC). 

The files will be transferred to the ICC via Belgium’s Ministry of Justice, the designated authority for such international cooperation. The prosecutor’s office noted the decision was made “in the interests of the proper administration of justice and with respect for Belgium’s international obligations.”

In response, the Hind Rajab Foundation expressed disappointment over the lack of further action.

"We believe Belgium should have gone further," the group said. "In our view, the suspects should not only have been arrested, but also detained and either prosecuted in Belgium or extradited to the ICC."

Tensions have escalated between Israel and Belgium following the arrests. On July 29, Israel summoned a Belgian diplomat over the incident. The soldiers reportedly claimed they were assaulted during their arrest, though the Belgian Foreign Ministry confirmed only the meeting and declined further comment.

The referral coincides with rising diplomatic strain over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Belgium announced it is dispatching a military aircraft with medical supplies and food to Jordan, and recently joined 27 other nations in calling for an immediate ceasefire.

By Sabina Mammadli