The prime minister of Qatar has declared that his nation is demanding a “shortly, thorough, and unbiased international inquiry” of what he described as Israeli atrocities in Gaza.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani declared that Qatar will keep up its attempts to mediate a new peace process and achieve a long-term peace in the beleaguered enclave.
Following a week-long ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, 80 Israeli inmates were freed in return for 240 Palestinian ones. Qatar mediated the cease-fire with backing from Egypt and the US. On Friday, the cease-fire was called off after claims of agreement violations were exchanged by both parties.
After Israel withdrew its Mossad diplomats from Doha a days after the end of truce, the likelihood of another ceasefire in Gaza looked dim. Additionally, the deputy head of Hamas informed the media that the organization will not engage in future negotiations about the exchange of Israeli prisoners for Palestinian prisoners.
Israel has stepped up its bombardment on Gaza since Friday; according to a state media official, 700 Palestinian civilians have died as a result of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.
Over 70% of the 15,500 Palestinian citizens who have perished in the city since the conflict started on October 7 are women and minors. The data has been published by Gaza ministry of Health.
ICC Investigations After Qatar Call
In the meantime, Karim Khan, the head prosecutor for the International Criminal Court (ICC), urged Israel and Hamas to follow international law and announced that his department will be stepping up its probe into possible war crimes. “All actors must comply with international humanitarian law. If you do not do so, do not complain when my office is required to act,” Khan stressed after a visit to the West Bank and Israel.
Although Khan emphasized that his journey was not essentially forensic, he claimed to have spoken with people on both sides of the dispute. “Timely, independent examination and investigation should be the subject of credible allegations of crimes during the current conflict,” he declared.
The International Criminal Court was established in 2002 as the sole impartial court in the world to look into the worst crimes, such as crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide. In 2021, it began looking into potential war crimes against Israel, Hamas, and other militant Palestinian organizations.
Khan also demanded that humanitarian supplies be let into Gaza right away, stressing that Hamas must not abuse it.
He has previously stated that preventing help from reaching Gaza would be considered a war crime within the ICC’s purview. Israel does not officially cooperate with the ICC and has repeatedly denied the court’s authority. The country isn’t a member of the International Criminal Court.
