Around 100 representatives of Gaza hostages have traveled to The Hague to file a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Hamas for "crimes against humanity."
Israeli officials report that Palestinian militants, led by Hamas, seized approximately 250 hostages during an attack on Israel on October 7. Currently, about 130 individuals remain captive in Gaza.
Ofri Bibas, whose brother is among the captives, emphasized the global significance of their struggle, stating, "This is not just our story. If we don't stop this, tomorrow it will be the story of the entire world." Bibas stressed the need for collective action against terrorism, with Hamas representing just one facet of a broader threat.
Haim Rubinstein, representing the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, announced plans to file charges against Hamas leaders at the ICC, seeking accountability for their actions. Rubinstein, speaking from Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, emphasized the suffering endured by families of the hostages.
The Hamas attack precipitated a conflict resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,160 individuals in Israel, primarily civilians. Israeli health ministry data indicates that at least 28,473 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in the response from Israel.
Efforts to secure the release of remaining captives continue, with Israeli authorities under pressure from families of the hostages. Meanwhile, Israeli intelligence chief David Barnea engaged in talks with CIA Director William Burns in Cairo regarding a Qatari-brokered plan aimed at halting the conflict in Gaza.
The ICC, tasked with investigating grave offenses such as genocide and crimes against humanity, has been urged by Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan to prioritize the release of all hostages in Gaza. Khan expressed concern about a potential Israeli ground incursion into Rafah and emphasized the urgency of ongoing investigations into events in Gaza.
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