ICC Chief Prosecutor: “I hope to enter Gaza”
The head of the International Criminal Court, Karim Ahmad Khan, spoke today about a chance to personally enter Gaza and visit Israel to oversee an investigation into the events of October 7, including the Hamas raid and the subsequent Israeli military actions in the region. The statement underscored a desire to gather firsthand evidence and speak with witnesses, with the aim of establishing a clear account of the actions that led to civilian harm and to determine whether international crimes occurred that warrant formal examination by the court. This reflects a broader push within international law to document violations, assess accountability, and ensure that victims have access to a path of justice. The prosecutor’s remarks signal a commitment to impartial inquiry, even amid a highly charged and dangerous security environment that has complicated access for investigators and observers alike.
“I am very hopeful that I will be able to enter Gaza and go to Israel for this special mission,” Khan stated in a video distributed by the Rafah crossing’s Egyptian side. The crossing is a critical conduit for humanitarian aid, the main gateway to the Gaza Strip from Sinai, and a point of contact that has allowed limited movement under fragile circumstances. The prosecutor emphasized that direct access to the area would enable a more complete assessment of the facts on the ground, including the sequence of events, the actors involved, and the impact on civilian populations. While at the border, the team could observe conditions from a distance and gather preliminary information, the closer examination would require on-site presence and cooperation from relevant authorities. The remarks also highlighted the broader challenge of conducting investigations in zones affected by conflict, where security risks, travel restrictions, and political sensitivities can impede timely information gathering.
The ICC prosecutor, who stood near the border gate, explained that while visibility into the scale of the crisis was possible from that vantage point, proximity to the sites of violence and access to witnesses remained constrained. He described the current moment as one of the most heartbreaking and consequential periods in recent memory, stressing the importance of preserving evidence, protecting civilians, and pursuing accountability through lawful, methodical inquiry. The statements conveyed a sense of urgency; the need to document and analyze alleged abuses, to verify facts, and to determine whether the actions of any party in the conflict meet international criminal standards. In this framing, the emphasis was on adherence to due process, careful collection of testimonies, and the pursuit of justice in a manner consistent with international law and the court’s mandate to examine potential crimes under its jurisdiction.