MyAqsa Foundation intensifies efforts to bring Israeli war crimes to ICC

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian non-government organisation (NGO) MyAqsa Foundation in cooperation with the Palestinian government and Palestinian embassy in Malaysia are intensifying efforts to bring the Israeli war crimes to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

MyAqsa legal team chief Lukman Sheriff Alias said the NGO has been dedicated to this mission since 2018.

"The presistence and dedication of many international NGOs led to the official launch of an investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity by Israel against Palestine," Lukman said in a press conference at the Palestine Embassy in Malaysia, here, today.

He said on Feb 9, 2021, the ICC Prosecutor launched an official investigation, however, in light of recent incident, including the devastating attacks and atrocities committed by the Israeli forces in Gaza, MyAqsa has taken further steps to ensure justice.

"The MyAqsa Foundation legal team plans to meet with the ICC Prosecutor in The Hague, Netherlands soon to present a well-prepared dossier and evidence with the hope to speed up actions against what Israel did which constitutes genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes under the Rome Statute,” he said.

Since Oct 7, Israeli forces have killed more than 9,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children and their claims of self-defence against Hamas has been challenged due to the alleged use of over 18,000 tonnes of bombs on Gaza, causing significant casualties.

He also revealed that the recent strike on the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza resulting in an estimated 500 casualties as an apparent war crime and a violation of international humanitarian law.

“Besides that, I want to point out the use of artillery-fired white phosphorus in densely populated areas in Gaza and Lebanon, which they consider a clear war crime and a violation of international humanitarian law under the Rome Statute,” he added.

On top of that, MyAqsa Foundation recommended that Muslim countries immediately cease all forms of businesses and trade with Israel as a form of protest against their actions.

“Muslim countries that currently maintain diplomatic relations with Israel are urged to sever those relations and close Israeli embassies within their respective countries,” Lukman said.