Affirms Israel Must Respect International Law, ICC Prosecutors: If They Don't Obey, They Can't Complain Later

Prosecutor ICC Karim Khan. (Wikimedia Commons/UN International Criminal Tribunal for the Formerris)

JAKARTA - The Attorney for the International Criminal Court (ICC) stressed that Israel must respect international war rules related to its conflict with Palestinian militants Hamas in Gaza, while ensuring the process of investigating the violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank runs.

"In Gaza, there is no justification for doctors to perform lightless surgery, and for children to be operated without drugs. Imagine the pain," prosecutor ICC Karim Khan said in a video message posted online after a four-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.

"I am very clear, this is the time to comply with the law. If Israel does not comply now, they should not complain later," Khan stressed.

Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas with its goal of operation in Gaza is to destroy the Palestinian militant group, urging civilians to leave the enclave, following an October 7 attack on their southern region.

On the other hand, Khan also asked Hamas to respect war rules, not to abuse any humanitarian aid that goes into the trapped Gaza Strip.

Civilians must have access to staple food, water and much-needed medical supplies, without further delays at large speed and scale, Khan said.

Prosecutor Khan said the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7 were "the most serious international crime that shocked mankind's conscience", saying his courts were ready to assist Israel in investigating the crime and adjudicating those responsible.

At the same time, he said the violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers in the West Bank was "unacceptable" and could not be left alone.

"We have carried out an investigation and we are accelerating the investigation," Khan said of the situation in the West Bank.

"No Israeli settlers armed with ideology and weapons can think that this is an open season against Palestinians," he stressed.

Israel is not a member of the court based in The Hague, the Netherlands and does not recognize its jurisdiction. However, Khan in October stressed that his court has jurisdiction over potential war crimes committed by Hamas militants in Israel and by Israelis in the Gaza Strip.

The ICC itself has carried out ongoing investigations in the Palestinian occupied territories regarding possible war crimes and crimes against humanity there since 2021.

It is known that accusations of war crimes and human rights abuses have been leveled by both sides since the latest conflict broke out.

About 12,000 people were killed and 240 others held hostage as a result of the Hamas group's attack, according to Israeli calculations.

While on the other hand, more than 15,500 people died in Gaza due to Israeli responses that carried out bombings, total and recent blockades carried out ground operations in the region, according to Palestinian authorities.