Belgian federal police have arrested two Israeli soldiers facing accusations of war crimes in Gaza following a complaint by two rights groups.
A statement by the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) said the pair were in the country to attend a music festival and that legal proceedings were ongoing.
“The suspects were identified and arrested with a clear show of force at the Tomorrowland festival in Boom,” HRF said on Monday.
“After being taken into custody, they were formally interrogated and released. The Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed that a criminal investigation is now underway.”
The complaint was filed last week by HRF and the Global Legal Action Network (Glan).
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“This development is a significant step forward,” the two groups said.
“It signals that Belgium has recognised its jurisdiction under international law and is treating the allegations with the seriousness they deserve.
“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.”
The Hind Rajab Foundation: Pursuing Israeli soldiers worldwide for Gaza war crimes
The HRF is a Brussels-based NGO focused on taking international legal action for war crimes committed in Gaza since the October 2023 Israeli onslaught. Its founder Dyab Abou Jahjah has told Middle East Eye that it has over 8000 pieces of evidence documenting war crimes by Israeli soldiers in Gaza.
It has pursued war crimes cases against Israeli soldiers and officials in Europe and Latin America, but this is the first time their efforts lead to arrests.
“The Hind Rajab Foundation and GLAN welcome this breakthrough with determination and humility. We will continue to support the ongoing proceedings and call on Belgian authorities to pursue the investigation fully and independently. Justice must not stop here — and we are committed to seeing it through.”
The arrests come a day after Belgium’s King Philippe described the situation in Gaza as “a disgrace to humanity.” He said in speech on Sunday that Belgium backs calls by the UN for “an immediate end to this unbearable crisis.”