People protest in support of Palestinians in Gaza, from a car, as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, near the headquarters of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has ongoing investigations into potential atrocity crimes carried out by Hamas in Israel, and by Israelis in the Gaza Strip going back to 2014, and which also covers the current conflict, in The Hague, Netherlands October 18, 2023. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw
Several hundred pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in front of the International Criminal Court (ICC) building in The Hague to call on the court and the international community to stop what they describe as the genocide of Palestinians.
When Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7 in an effort to end Israeli occupation, fighting broke out. Since then, Israel has responded by bombing Gaza, killing an estimated 1,400 Israelis and 3,000 Palestinians.
The ICC is investigating potential atrocity crimes that Hamas militants in Israel and Israelis in the Gaza Strip have committed since 2014, which also covers the current conflict.
“We are against killings of any (parties), however when it comes to Gaza the world is always (turning) a blind eye. We came here to say enough is enough,” Rafat Alkayyali, 50, said, adding that he came to the ICC to protest because he believes in international law.
Protesters carried signs that said: “Justice for Palestine – Stop the Genocide” and “How many children will die until Israel is prosecuted”.
Last week ICC prosecutor Karim Khan told Reuters that the court has jurisdiction over potential atrocity crimes carried out by Hamas militants in Israel and Israelis in the Gaza Strip, even though Israel is not a member state.
