The families of around 100 people whose loved ones were taken hostage by Hamas terrorists on October 7 are now planning international criminal charges against the terrorist organization’s leaders for war crimes.
Lawyers from the Hostage and Missing Families Forum, an organization representing the families of about 250 hostages, have been working for months to prepare a submission to the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands, which they plan to submit to the court on Wednesday. is. The Times of Israel reported.
It calls for Hamas leaders to be prosecuted for “kidnapping, sexual assault, and violence.” [and] “Torture” for cross-border attacks that killed more than 1,200 Israelis.
An Israeli forensic team that examined the bodies of the dead in the aftermath said they found multiple signs of rape, torture and other atrocities inflicted on the victims, adding to more than 1,500 reports from survivors. This seems to confirm the heart-breaking testimony.
Criminal charges against Hamas leaders would “place significant pressure to release the remaining hostages and provide a mechanism for justice for the victims and their families,” the group said.
The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, has already said he is conducting an investigation into Hamas’ actions and into Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
But Robbie Sabel, a professor at the Hebrew University School of Law, said the Hostage and Missing Families Forum’s submission could put pressure on Khan.
“If further evidence can be submitted to the ICC, it may encourage prosecutors to proceed with the investigation,” he said.
Seibel said Khan has a “reputation for being a fair and reasonable lawyer” but is “understandably subject to public pressure.”
Under Khan’s authority, the International Criminal Court can prosecute individuals for violating the Geneva Conventions.
The newspaper has contacted the International Criminal Court and the Hostage and Missing Families Forum for comment.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has launched its own investigation into sexual violence allegedly committed by Hamas.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres previously said in a statement: “There are numerous reports of sexual violence during Hamas’ heinous act of terrorism on October 7th, which must be vigorously investigated and prosecuted.”
“Gender-based violence must be condemned. Always. Everywhere,” he said.
Israeli authorities estimate that about 100 hostages remain in the Gaza Strip. Hamas also holds the remains of around 30 people killed on October 7 or who died in captivity.
More than 100 more people were released by Hamas during a week-long ceasefire in November.
Since Israel launched retaliatory strikes in Gaza, its forces have killed 28,000 Palestinians, according to health officials in the region.
