CAIRO: The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, issued a stern warning regarding the potential criminal consequences of blocking humanitarian aid from reaching Gaza.
Speaking in Cairo after a visit to Egypt’s Rafah crossing, Khan expressed his deep concerns about the humanitarian situation and the delays in aid delivery.
Khan emphasized that obstructing relief supplies, as mandated by the Geneva Conventions, could be considered a crime within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC). His visit to Rafah highlighted the urgent need for action, as trucks filled with essential humanitarian assistance remained stranded and unable to reach Gaza.
The situation in Gaza has become increasingly dire due to an ongoing siege and relentless Israeli bombardment. Despite international efforts to provide humanitarian aid, the region remains largely cut off from the outside world.
Israel initiated the siege and launched a massive bombing campaign following an incursion by Hamas gunmen on October 7. This tragic event resulted in the loss of 1,400 lives, predominantly civilians, and the capture of 230 hostages, according to Israeli officials. The subsequent Israeli strikes have claimed over 8,000 lives, including many children, as reported by the Hamas-controlled health ministry in the territory.
In response to mounting humanitarian needs, limited aid deliveries resumed through the Rafah crossing on October 21. While this development marked a step forward, it’s important to note that the volume of aid reaching Gaza remains significantly lower than before the siege. Prior to the conflict, approximately 500 trucks carrying aid and other essential goods entered Gaza daily.
Prosecutor Karim Khan took the opportunity to deliver a direct message to Israel, urging immediate and tangible efforts to ensure that the beleaguered civilian population in Gaza receives access to basic necessities, including food and medicine.
The situation in Gaza is further exacerbated by reports of looting at food aid centers operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has expressed his growing concern about the situation, stating that the population is facing an increasingly desperate humanitarian crisis, with rising casualties and dwindling supplies of food, water, medicine, and shelter.
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Furthermore, Khan emphasized that his office has an ongoing investigation into any potential crimes committed in the territory of Palestine. This investigation covers actions by both Israel and Palestine, as well as any activities occurring within the territory of Palestine or involving crossings into Israel. The probe encompasses current events in Gaza and the West Bank.
Additionally, Khan expressed his deep concern about the rising number of reported incidents involving attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967.
The prosecutor highlighted that hostage-taking is a clear breach of the Geneva Conventions. He called for the immediate release of all hostages taken from Israel and their safe return to their families.
Khan underlined that Israel has significant obligations in its conflict with Hamas, not only on moral grounds but also within the framework of international legal obligations. These obligations require both parties to comply with the laws of armed conflict, ensuring the protection of civilians.
Established in 2002, the ICC serves as the only independent global tribunal responsible for investigating the world’s most serious crimes, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The Palestinian authorities became signatories to the court’s founding Rome Statute in 2015.
However, it’s important to note that Israel, not being a signatory to the ICC, has consistently refused to cooperate with the court’s investigation or recognize its jurisdiction.
The situation in Gaza remains a matter of international concern, as humanitarian organizations and nations seek to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population. While diplomatic efforts continue, the urgency of addressing the crisis cannot be overstated. The outcomes of these developments will have significant implications for the region and beyond.
