The extent of Israel's 22-day ruthless war on Gaza is becoming increasingly clear as a fragile ceasefire is in place. Some 1,300 Palestinians, including at least 700 civilians, were killed during Israel's Gaza offensive.
In the past month the court's chief prosecutor, Luis Moreno Ocampo, received over 210 appeals from Palestinians and NGOs to investigate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Radio Netherlands said on its website.
When Palestinian human rights groups petitioned the ICC to investigate war crimes reports earlier this month, Ocampo said he was unable to take the case because his court had no jurisdiction over Israel. But now he says he is examining the case for Palestinian jurisdiction.
The ICC can try individuals only if the accused is a citizen of an ICC member state or the crime took place on the territory of such a state. The UN Security Council can also request the ICC to open an investigation, a scenario which is highly unlikely.
Ocampo can also start an investigation into the Gaza conflict if a non-member state accepts the court's jurisdiction, which is the road the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) is now seeking to take. It has recognized the court's jurisdiction over the alleged crimes on 22 January.
Israel has not signed the Rome Statute creating the ICC.
PA/PA
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