Israeli Families Advocate for ICC Action Against Hamas Leaders

Israeli survivors and relatives of those affected by the October 7 attacks are intensifying their campaign to bring Hamas’ actions under scrutiny by the International Criminal Court (ICC). This move comes in response to the cross-border raid in which Hamas terrorists murdered 1,200 Israelis and abducted approximately 250 individuals. Among the victims was 41-year-old Tal Haimi, whose cousin, Udi Goren, has become a vocal advocate for justice, emphasizing the need for international action against Hamas leaders.

Around 100 family members of the hostages are preparing to travel to the ICC headquarters in The Hague. They carry with them not only the grief and memories of their loved ones but also a series of legal filings known as Article 15 communications. These are aimed at providing the ICC with information on behalf of the Israeli victims and are part of a broader effort to compel the court to take action against Hamas’ leadership.

Despite Israel not being a member of the ICC and not recognizing its jurisdiction, ICC prosecutor Karim Khan confirmed the court’s jurisdiction over the events of October 7 as part of its ongoing investigation, although details on the investigation remain confidential.

In a recent development, lawyer Yael Vias Gvirsman, representing another group of Israeli victims, revealed that several of her clients had given testimony directly to ICC investigators. This marks a crucial step forward in the investigation, providing investigators with firsthand accounts of the atrocities committed during the October 7 attacks.

The case at the ICC, focusing on individual criminal responsibility for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, is distinct from the genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. The Palestinian territories’ admission as ICC members in 2015 grants the court jurisdiction over atrocity crimes committed within its territory and by Palestinians on Israeli soil.