HRF Files Urgent War Crimes Complaint in Belgium Against Israeli Soldier Identified at Tomorrowland

20 July 2026, Belgium — The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) has filed an urgent criminal complaint with the Belgian Federal Prosecutor against a member of the Israeli armed forces currently present on Belgian territory. The complaint alleges the suspect’s involvement in war crimes committed in Gaza during Israeli military operations conducted between 2023 and 2024.

Suspect Present on Belgian Territory

The suspect was identified in Belgium at the Tomorrowland festival and is believed to remain on Belgian territory.

Given the immediate risk that the suspect could leave the country, HRF has requested urgent investigative and preventive measures. Specifically, the Foundation has asked the Belgian Federal Prosecutor to refer the case without delay to an examining judge and to take all necessary steps to ensure the suspect remains available to Belgian judicial authorities.

The suspect's presence in Belgium provides the jurisdictional basis required under Article 14/10 of the Belgian Code of Criminal Procedure for Belgian authorities to investigate allegations of international crimes committed abroad.

Factual Basis for the Complaint

According to evidence gathered and analysed by HRF, the suspect served in an Israeli military unit deployed in Gaza City and Rafah between October 2023 and November 2024.

The complaint focuses specifically on the destruction of Palestine Square and surrounding buildings in the Rimal neighbourhood of Gaza City in December 2023.

HRF’s investigation indicates that numerous civilian structures were systematically destroyed using armoured vehicles, military bulldozers, and controlled demolitions. The impacted structures included residential buildings, commercial properties, public offices, and educational facilities, including the Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children.

The complaint argues that this conduct may constitute war crimes under Article 8 of the Rome Statute, including:

• Intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects under Article 8(2)(b)(ii)
• Extensive destruction of property not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly under Article 8(2)(a)(iv)
• Attacking or bombarding, by whatever means, towns, villages, dwellings, or buildings, which are undefended and which are not military objectives under Article 8(2)(b)(v).

HRF has submitted evidentiary material concerning the suspect’s military service, deployment, unit affiliation and alleged connection to the operations described in the complaint.

Previous Belgian Proceedings at Tomorrowland

This is not the first time HRF has initiated legal proceedings concerning suspected perpetrators of war crimes identified at the Tomorrowland festival.

On 18 July 2025, HRF, in cooperation with the Global Legal Action Network, filed a complaint in Belgium against two Israeli soldiers present at the festival grounds in Boom. Belgian federal police subsequently detained and questioned both individuals.

Although they were later released and permitted to leave Belgian territory, the proceedings continued. On 29 July 2025, the Belgian Federal Prosecutor referred the case to the International Criminal Court (ICC) pursuant to the procedure set out in Article 14/10 of the Belgian Code of Criminal Procedure.

That case demonstrated that Belgian authorities are prepared to take immediate investigative action when alleged perpetrators of international crimes are identified on Belgian soil.

Statements from the Hind Rajab Foundation

Dyab Abou Jahjah, Director General at HRF:

“Every soldier bears individual criminal responsibility for war crimes, regardless of rank or the orders received.”

“By filing this complaint in Belgium, we are challenging the culture of impunity that has shielded perpetrators of crimes against Palestinians for decades. The presence of an alleged perpetrator on Belgian territory creates both an opportunity and an obligation for Belgian authorities to act.”

“Belgium must uphold its international obligations, and we expect the Federal Prosecutor to fulfill that duty without delay.”

Natacha Bracq, Head of Litigation at HRF:

“The principle of aut dedere aut judicare—extradite or prosecute—is not an aspiration or a political choice. It is a binding obligation under international law.”

“When a person credibly alleged to have participated in grave breaches of international law is present on Belgian territory, the authorities must respond effectively. The evidentiary threshold for opening a criminal investigation has been met, and the urgency created by the risk of the suspect’s departure from the country requires the immediate referral of the case to an examining judge.”

HRF’s International Litigation Work

This complaint forms part of HRF's broader international strategy to pursue individual criminal responsibility for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide committed in Gaza.

Since 2024, HRF has submitted more than 90 criminal complaints and other legal filings across more than 30 jurisdictions. These proceedings have resulted in a range of procedural developments, including arrests, police interrogations, and criminal investigations in countries including Brazil, Peru, Canada, and Greece.

Through this offensive litigation strategy, HRF seeks to ensure that individuals accused of international crimes cannot evade accountability by traveling or residing outside Israel.