International Criminal Court Expresses Concern Over Violence in Palestinian Territories

The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, expressed her concern regarding the escalating violence in the Palestinian territories and the possibility of war crimes being committed there. Bensouda wrote on Twitter, "I am following with great concern the escalation of violence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as well as in Gaza and its surroundings, and the potential commission of crimes falling under the Rome Statute" of the International Criminal Court. Clashes between Israel and the Islamic resistance movement (Hamas) intensified on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of at least 35 people in Gaza and five in Israel so far in the heaviest airstrikes between the sides in years. The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court had announced in March the opening of an investigation into the possible commission of war crimes in the Palestinian territories. Bensouda stated that war crimes have been committed or are being committed in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, specifically mentioning both the Israeli Defense Forces and armed Palestinian groups such as Hamas. British prosecutor Karim Khan is set to replace Bensouda on June 16. Bensouda stated on Wednesday, "My office will continue to monitor developments on the ground and record any matter that falls within our jurisdiction." The International Criminal Court was established under the Rome Statute in 2002 to serve as a last resort for prosecuting war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide when states are unable or unwilling to do so. The court's investigation into the possibility of war crimes in the Palestinian territories has faced strong opposition from Israel and the United States.