Belgium opens war crimes investigation into Brussels man fighting for Israel in Gaza – POLITICO

The Belgian investigation, which officially opened on Wednesday, follows an investigation by Palestinian journalist and Bellingcat contributor Younis Tirawi, who accused the Refaim sniper unit of “brutal executions of unarmed civilians.”

Tirawi said he received information from an American soldier in a senior position in the unit who provided evidence that the unit had fired on civilians, even when they were unarmed and posed no threat.

Belgian Justice Minister Paul Van Tigchelt said on Thursday that the Belgian investigation aims to verify information published in the press. “Israel has the right to self-defense, but that does not release it from its obligation to respect international humanitarian law,” Van Tigchelt told the Belgian parliament.

The Belgian-Palestinian Association (ABP) filed a criminal complaint against the man on Thursday and called on Belgian authorities to conduct the investigation “prudently.”

“This will help end the impunity of criminals, as the impunity they enjoy fuels their further crimes,” the association said in a statement.

“The ABP demands that the Belgian justice system participates in the work of international justice alongside international courts. The Belgian justice system is obliged to act when Belgians are perpetrators or victims of crimes under international law.”

The Israel Defense Forces did not immediately respond to POLITICO’s request for comment.