International Criminal Court declares jurisdiction over Palestinian territories

SANAA, Feb. 6 (YPA) – Judges from the International Criminal Court issued a ruling on Friday that the court, based in Hague, has jurisdiction over war crimes in the Palestinian territories, opening the way for a possible investigation.
The judges said that the decision was based on the jurisdictional rules stipulated in the court’s founding documents, and does not include any attempt to determine state status or legal boundaries.
The occupation entity refused the jurisdiction of the court and it is not a member of the court.
Court Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said in December 2019 that there is “a reasonable basis to believe that war crimes have been or are being committed in the West Bank, including East al-Quds, and the Gaza Strip.”
Bensouda described the Israeli army and Palestinian armed groups such as the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) as potential perpetrators, according to the court.
Bensouda asked the judges to decide whether the situation fell within the court’s jurisdiction before opening a formal investigation.