The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, has pledged to escalate efforts to investigate israeli war crimes following his visit to the Palestinian Territories.

While stressing that his visit was not investigative in nature, Khan mentioned that he had engaged with victims on both sides of the conflict.

The israeli aggression in the besieged Palestinian territory of Gaza has claimed over 15,200 lives, according to Hamas, during more than eight weeks of intense combat and heavy bombardment.

“My office will further intensify its efforts to advance its investigations in relation to this situation,” Khan stated. He emphasized the need for credible allegations of crimes during the current conflict to undergo timely, independent examination and investigation.

Established in 2002, the ICC is the world's only independent court dedicated to investigating serious offenses such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. In 2021, it initiated an investigation into Israel, Hamas, and other armed Palestinian groups for possible war crimes in the Palestinian territories. Khan specified that the investigation now extends to the escalation of hostilities and violence since the attacks that occurred on October 7, 2023.

Khan underscored that Israel's response to Hamas attacks is subject to clear legal parameters governing armed conflict. While acknowledging the complexity of conflict in densely populated areas like Gaza, he insisted that international humanitarian law must still apply.

Legal experts have suggested that both Hamas and Israel could face war crimes charges over the conflict. In mid-November, five countries called for an ICC investigation into the Israel war crime in Gaza, with Khan noting that his team had collected a "significant volume" of evidence on relevant incidents.

Additionally, Khan called for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza without interference from Hamas.

"All actors must comply with international humanitarian law. If you do not do so, do not complain when my office is required to act,” he warned. (ILKHA)