International Criminal Court warns Israel over Gaza violence

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has warned Israel over possible war crimes after Palestinian protesters were shot by Israeli troops on the Gaza border.

In a statement, prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said it was “with grave concern that I note the violence and deteriorating situation in the Gaza Strip in the context of recent mass demonstrations”.

At least 27 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli Defence Forces since 30 March 2018 and over a thousand have been injured.

Ms Bensouda said: “Violence against civilians – in a situation such as the one prevailing in Gaza – could constitute crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, as could the use of civilian presence for the purpose of shielding military activities.”

Israel alleges that Hamas, the Islamic movement that rules Gaza, is using the civilian demonstrators as cover for military operations.

The situation in Palestine is currently under preliminary examination by Ms Bensouda’s office and she said “any new alleged crime committed in the context of the situation in Palestine may be subjected to my Office’s scrutiny”, including those of the past weeks.

She concluded: “I am aware that the demonstrations in the Gaza Strip are planned to continue further.

“My Office will continue to closely watch the situation and will record any instance of incitement or resort to unlawful force. I urge all those concerned to refrain from further escalating this tragic situation.

“Any person who incites or engages in acts of violence including by ordering, requesting, encouraging or contributing in any other manner to the commission of crimes within ICC’s jurisdiction is liable to prosecution before the Court, with full respect for the principle of complementarity. The resort to violence must stop.”