Amnesty International has called on states to demonstrate their commitment to international justice to ensure accountability for victims of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). Following the ICC Assembly of States Parties in The Hague, Amnesty emphasized that supporting institutions such as the ICC is critical amid existential threats to the international justice system. The organization has documented ongoing genocide by Israel against Palestinians in Gaza, as well as apartheid policies constituting crimes against humanity. It has also released research on war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Hamas and other armed groups during and after the 7 October 2023 attacks.
Amnesty stressed that achieving sustainable peace requires truth, justice, and reparations. It urged the international community and actors in Israel and the OPT to develop a roadmap for justice that addresses both Israeli crimes, including genocide, apartheid, and occupation, and violations by Palestinian armed groups. The roadmap should integrate various justice mechanisms, including ICC investigations free from obstruction, ensuring that all responsible individuals are held accountable. Effective justice entails not only prosecuting perpetrators but also providing victims with remedies and guarantees of non-repetition.
Despite the ceasefire and release of hostages, Israel continues to commit genocide in Gaza by deliberately imposing life-threatening conditions, restricting aid, and perpetuating displacement. Amnesty reported that at least 370 Palestinians, including 140 children, were killed since the ceasefire, contributing to a total of over 70,000 deaths and 200,000 injuries over the conflict period. Israeli actions, combined with longstanding apartheid and occupation, maintain impunity for those responsible for atrocities and exacerbate civilian suffering. In the West Bank and East Jerusalem, military operations, settler violence, and destruction of civilian infrastructure continue to reinforce systemic oppression.
Amnesty also highlighted the crimes committed by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups. During the 7 October 2023 attacks on southern Israel, these groups conducted coordinated assaults targeting civilians, resulting in over 1,200 deaths, more than 800 of whom were civilians, and thousands of injuries. The attacks included abductions, hostage-taking, and severe physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, with evidence indicating systematic and widespread assaults amounting to crimes against humanity. Survivors and families of victims have documented the extreme mistreatment of hostages, including sexual violence and executions. Amnesty called on Palestinian authorities to acknowledge these violations, investigate perpetrators, and cooperate with international justice mechanisms.
International justice mechanisms, including the ICC, remain essential for holding Israeli and Palestinian perpetrators accountable. The ICC’s investigation into the situation in Palestine and issued arrest warrants are critical to ensuring justice, truth, and reparations for victims. Amnesty stressed that accountability is non-negotiable, and that lasting peace is unattainable without recognition of responsibility, cooperation with investigative bodies, and implementation of measures to prevent future violations. Victims must be acknowledged and granted effective remedies to achieve meaningful justice and sustainable peace.
