Belgian-Israeli dual national probed for Gaza sniper role

Belgian prosecutors are investigating a man with Belgian and Israeli nationality accused of serving as a sniper in Gaza, according to De Tijd.

The inquiry began last year after a documentary by a Palestinian journalist showed him as part of an Israeli elite unit. The team, linked to Israel’s Paratroopers Battalion 202, was reportedly involved in shootings of unarmed Palestinians.

While the footage does not directly tie the Belgian-Israeli man to the incidents, investigators are examining whether his role in the unit could amount to war crimes. Similar legal cases have been launched in France, Italy and South Africa against other members of the same unit.

The man, who left Belgium in 2022 but retains citizenship, previously lived in Uccle. The federal prosecutor’s office confirmed the case is still ongoing but declined to give details.

^{An Israeli police sniper in the West Bank town of El-Bireh in March 2000 © PATRICK BAZ / AFP}