The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, expressed concern about the attacks being carried out by the Israeli occupation forces in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, emphasizing the commitment to pursue any parties violating international laws. In a statement published on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), as reported by Al-Hurra, Khan highlighted the urgency of the investigation his office is conducting regarding Gaza, especially given the reports of bombings and a potential ground assault by Israeli forces on Rafah.
Khan noted that the investigation has expanded to include escalations in hostilities and violence since the attacks that occurred on October 7, 2023. He stressed that all wars have rules and the laws applicable to armed conflict must not be interpreted in a way that renders them meaningless. Khan reiterated his office’s active pursuit of any suspected crimes committed, ensuring accountability for those who violate the law.
The ICC had initiated an investigation in 2021 into potential war crimes in Gaza involving Israel and Palestinian factions.
Since the beginning of the war in Gaza on October 7, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has been actively involved in addressing the situation. Following the attack by Hamas on October 7 and the subsequent Israeli Defense Forces’ response in Gaza, several complaints have been lodged at the ICC. These complaints include accusations of war crimes committed against journalists, with Reporters Without Borders submitting a complaint on October 31. Furthermore, on November 2 and 8, complaints were filed by Israeli families affected by the Hamas attack and a collective of jurists, respectively, citing war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Additionally, three Palestinian human rights organizations filed a complaint for “war crimes,” “apartheid,” “genocide,” and “incitement to genocide” on November 8, requesting the issuance of arrest warrants against three Israeli leaders.
Critics and rights groups have called for more explicit warnings from the ICC to both Hamas and Israel to deter war crimes, emphasizing the importance of the court’s role in providing justice to victims on both sides. There has been some concern regarding the perceived selectivity and potential double standards in the ICC’s approach, particularly in light of recent interactions with victims and legal representatives from different sides of the conflict.
