A court in Belgium has launched an investigation into allegations of war crimes involving a sniper from the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) currently serving in the elite “Ghost” or Refaim unit.
The Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the inquiry, which is focusing on whetheThe accused, a dual Belgian-Israeli national in his early twenties, is under scrutiny for his alleged involvement in the targeted killings of unarmed civilians in Gaza.r the sniper, part of the IDF's multidimensional Refaim unit, violated international laws protecting non-combatants.
If found guilty, the soldier could face prosecution under Belgian law, which allows for the trial of its citizens for war crimes committed abroad.
The investigation was triggered by a complaint from the Belgian-Palestinian Association (ABP). Digital evidence reportedly suggests that unarmed civilians in Gaza were deliberately targeted, with no immediate threat posed to IDF forces.
According to reports, the sniper unit has been active in operations in Gaza since 7th October 2023.
The case gained further momentum following a report by Palestinian journalist Younis Tirawi, who accused the sniper of intentionally killing civilians.
His claims were substantiated by a senior American officer serving in the same unit.
The American officer provided testimony and shared evidence of the alleged war crimes, accusing the Refaim unit of shooting unarmed civilians in cold blood.
Tirawi reported that some soldiers within the Refaim unit, which includes members of various nationalities, were using religious justifications for their actions, drawing on biblical references to the term “Amalekites”—a historic enemy of the Israelites—as a way to dehumanise Gazan residents.
The elite unit consists of 21 soldiers, including the Belgian national under investigation, along with three Americans, two French nationals, one German, and one Italian, among others.
This is not the first time Israeli military personnel have been accused of committing war crimes, but the current inquiry is expected to shed light on the latest allegations.
Meanwhile, the death toll in Gaza continues to rise, with over 42,000 people reported dead, and the territory reduced to what has been described as 42 million pounds of rubble, following the ongoing military operations.
The Federal Prosecutor’s Office in Belgium has stated that the investigation remains ongoing and, if the sniper is found guilty, legal proceedings will follow as per Belgian law.
The outcome of the probe could have significant international implications.
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