International Criminal Court

On October 18, several hundred pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in front of the International Criminal Court (ICC) building in The Hague to call on the court and the international community to stop what they describe as the genocide of Palestinians.

When Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7 in an effort to end Israeli occupation, fighting broke out. Since then, Israel has responded by bombing Gaza, killing an estimated 1,400 Israelis and 3,000 Palestinians. The ICC is looking into alleged atrocity crimes that Israelis and Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip may have perpetrated since 2014, which includes the ongoing fighting.

“We are against killings of any (parties), however when it comes to Gaza the world is always (turning) a blind eye. We came here to say enough is enough,” Rafat Alkayyali, 50, said, adding that he came to the ICC to protest because he believes in international law, according to Routers “Justice for Palestine – Stop the Genocide” and “How many children will die until Israel is prosecuted” were among the placards the protesters held.

Even though Israel is not a member state of the ICC, prosecutor Karim Khan stated to Reuters last week that the court has jurisdiction over potential atrocity crimes committed by Hamas terrorists in Israel and Israelis in the Gaza Strip. The ICC has jurisdiction over the occupied Palestinian territories, including the Gaza Strip. As a result, the court has the power to bring charges against Hamas, the Palestinian militant organization in charge of Gaza.

If there is proof that Palestinians have committed crimes, whether they are members of Hamas, Al Quds Brigades, the armed branch of Hamas, or any other individual or citizen of any other state party, the ICC can take necessary action.  Although, many of the world’s superpowers, including as China, the United States, Russia, India, and Egypt, are not members.

Even if the ICC were to issue arrest warrants in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it would be dependent on member nations to carry out the arrests because the court lacks a police force. Since 2021, the court has been looking into potential war crimes and crimes against humanity in the occupied Palestinian territory. Israel, meanwhile, does not acknowledge the court.

In connection with the probable war crime, Palestinian sources have said that an Israeli airstrike on the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in the confined Gaza Strip resulted in the deaths of up to 500 individuals. The hospital explosion, according to the Gazan health ministry, was brought on by an Israeli airstrike. On the other hand, The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) armed organization’s misfired missile, according to Israel, is what caused the explosion.