The Hague, Netherlands — The International Criminal Court Appeals Chamber has rejected Israel’s appeal to halt the court’s investigation into alleged war crimes committed in the occupied territories of Palestine, especially in Gaza and West Bank.
On Monday, ICC appeals judges ruled that the court may continue examining Israel’s military actions, including events following the October 7, 2023 attack.
That attack saw Hamas militants launch an assault in southern Israel, triggering Israel’s military response.
Since then, Gaza health authorities say more than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed.
Based on Israel’s argument, the ICC has no jurisdiction and claimed the post–October 7 fighting should be treated as a new case, which would require fresh notification from the court.
It can be recalled the ICC formally notified Israel last 2021 that they were opening its investigation into the criminal situation of the occupied State of Palestine.
This is after Palestine lodged a declaration over war crimes committed there.
That earlier notification, the appeals chamber emphasized, already includes later developments.
As a result, arrest warrants issued in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister will also remain valid.
In a statement posted on social media, Israel’s Foreign Ministry rejects the ruling, calling it a disregard for the sovereignty of countries that are not members of the ICC.