Belgian-Israeli Faces Crimes Against Humanity Complaint in Brussels

A criminal complaint for crimes against humanity has been filed in Brussels against a Belgian-Israeli dual national identified as a sniper in the Israeli army’s “Refaim” (Ghost) battalion. The complaint, lodged jointly by Palestinian journalist Mohammed Alhelou and the Hind Rajab Foundation, a Belgian non-profit, marks the latest test of Belgium’s expansive universal jurisdiction laws.

Background of the Case

The accused, identified only as A.B., is a resident of Uccle (Ukkel), Brussels, who holds both Belgian and Israeli nationality. According to RTBF, a criminal investigation into A.B. has been ongoing in Belgium since October 2025. The new complaints, filed on June 9, 2026, specifically link A.B. to an attack on a journalist in Gaza.

Mohammed Alhelou, a 24-year-old Palestinian journalist now living as a refugee in Europe, was documenting the war in Gaza while wearing a bulletproof vest marked “press” when he was shot by a sniper. The bullet lodged in his vest, saving his life. By cross-referencing the documented movements of the “Refaim” sniper unit with Alhelou’s presence at Nasser Hospital, the complainants established that the journalist could be a direct or indirect victim of A.B.

Legal Action and Universal Jurisdiction

Two separate complaints were filed — one specifically against A.B. and one against “X” (unknown persons) — by Alhelou and the Hind Rajab Foundation, who have joined the case as civil parties. They are represented by lawyer Me Jan Fermon.

As La Libre reports, the Brussels Public Prosecutor’s Office had not yet responded to the new complaints as of the latest reports. The case hinges on Belgium’s universal jurisdiction law, one of the most expansive in the world, which allows Belgian courts to prosecute any person suspected of genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes regardless of where the crime was committed or the nationality of the perpetrator or victim.

The Complainants

Mohammed Alhelou, who documented the Gaza war throughout the conflict, has stated through the complaint that “this must not be forgotten,” as reported by De Morgen. He joins forces with the Hind Rajab Foundation, a Belgian-registered non-profit named after a 6-year-old Palestinian girl killed in Gaza in 2024. The foundation was founded by Dyab Abou Jahjah, a controversial Belgian-Lebanese political activist known for founding the Arab European League (AEL).

Broader Context

The complaint comes amid a complex geopolitical landscape in the Middle East. As of June 2026, a framework agreement between the US and Iran was announced on June 15, aiming to end hostilities in a conflict that has involved Israel, Iran, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Hamas in Gaza. The International Criminal Court (ICC) previously issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity in November 2024.

This case is part of a growing trend of legal actions in European countries against individuals involved in the Gaza conflict. Similar complaints have been filed in France against Franco-Israeli soldiers, as 7sur7 notes in its coverage.

Analysis and Implications

The case presents significant legal and diplomatic challenges. If the Brussels prosecutor’s office decides to pursue the case, it could lead to the prosecution of a Belgian-Israeli dual national for actions taken as part of the Israeli military in Gaza — one of the most high-profile applications of Belgium’s universal jurisdiction law in the context of the current Middle East conflict.

Potential hurdles include evidentiary challenges in proving that a specific sniper’s bullet was fired by a specific individual in the chaos of war, as well as diplomatic tensions with Israel, which has consistently rejected the jurisdiction of foreign courts over its military personnel. The dual nationality of the accused may also raise questions about jurisdiction and diplomatic protection.

What to Watch For

The key question now is whether the Brussels Public Prosecutor’s Office will open a formal investigation based on the new complaints. The response — or lack thereof — will determine whether this case advances to become a landmark application of universal jurisdiction or joins the ranks of complaints that did not proceed. The status of the earlier investigation opened in October 2025 also remains unclear.

As DHnet reports, the complainants and their legal team await the prosecutor’s decision, which will set an important precedent for how Belgium handles cases involving alleged war crimes committed by foreign nationals in conflict zones.