ICC prosecutor promises to ‘further intensify’ investigation of war crimes in Israel, Gaza

Karim Khan, chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, addresses a UN Security Council meeting on July 13, 2023, at the United Nations headquarters in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Karim Khan, chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, addresses a UN Security Council meeting on July 13, 2023, at the United Nations headquarters in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court vows to step up efforts to investigate alleged war crimes, as he wraps up a visit to Israel and the West Bank.

Karim Khan stresses his visit is “not investigative in nature,” but says he was able to speak to victims on both sides of the conflict. “My office will further intensify its efforts to advance its investigations in relation to this situation.”

“Credible allegations of crimes during the current conflict should be the subject of timely, independent examination and investigation,” he adds.

But ICC teams have not been able to enter Gaza or investigate in Israel, which is not an ICC member.

Khan says he witnessed “calculated cruelty” at the sites attacked by Hamas. Those attacks “represent some of the most serious international crimes that shock the conscience of humanity, crimes which the ICC was established to address.” He adds also that “the manner in which Israel responds to these attacks is subject to clear legal parameters that govern armed conflict.”

Most Popular