Following allegations that two Israeli soldiers had engaged in atrocities in Gaza, Belgian prosecutors have referred a war crimes case to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The Belgian Federal Prosecutor has chosen to refer the case to the ICC, according to the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN). According to the foundation, Belgium’s decision was made in accordance with international law requirements.
According to Belgium’s Belga news agency, the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office said, “The International Criminal Court is currently looking into possible serious violations of humanitarian law in the Palestinian territories.”
Two Israeli soldiers, who are alleged Givati Brigade members, are the subject of the complaint. At the Belgian , Tomorrowland music festival, an Israeli DJ was spotted waving the flag of their military unit.
Before they were later released, Belgian police were given the instructions to identify, apprehend, and question the two soldiers after they had been charged.
Legal group urges more drastic action
A six-year-old Palestinian girl was killed by Israeli fire in Gaza City earlier in the war by the Belgian-based Hind Rajab Foundation. The organization has received dozens of complaints about Israeli military personnel from more than 10 nations since it was founded in 2023.
The foundation criticized Belgian authorities for not taking stronger action, while the foundation applauded the ICC’s referral with “cautious encouragement.”
The suspects should not only have been detained, but also be detained, prosecuted in Belgium, or extradited to the ICC, according to the foundation’s statement.
The group added that “releasing individuals who are formally accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity” “not only undermines public trust in justice,” but it also “raises the possibility of reinforcing a sense of impunity” and allowing those responsible to commit additional atrocities.
The foundation urged the ICC to act quickly and described the referral as “a strategic pivot to the international level.”
According to the statement, “Every day of international institutions’ inaction is a day of continued suffering and unaccountability.” This case establishes a legal and moral precedent, to be clear. Nowhere is it possible for Israeli military personnel to escape justice, no matter where they are.
Belgian diplomat is summoned by Israel.
Apparently, the Israeli government called a Belgian diplomat on Tuesday in protest of the arrests.
The conflict between the two countries comes as Israel’s ongoing conflict with the Palestinian people and the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza raises international concern.
Belgium joined 27 other nations in signing a declaration calling for an immediate ceasefire earlier on Wednesday, with the announcement that it would fly a military aircraft carrying food and medical supplies to Gaza to Jordan.
However, Belgium is reportedly facing legal repercussions because it allegedly ignored Israeli crimes in Gaza.
The Belgian state was formally summoned to appear before the French-speaking Court of First Instance in Brussels on July 7 after the claimants had filed a formal complaint about inaction and non-reach of international obligations.
Source: Aljazeera
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