Lebanon has taken a significant step towards achieving justice for war crimes on its territory by accepting the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court to investigate violations. Over the past six months, Lebanon has accused Israel of repeatedly violating its sovereignty and committing violations of international law, particularly during the Israeli war on Gaza.
An investigation by Reuters revealed that these cross-border bombings resulted in the deaths of at least 70 civilians, including children, rescue personnel, and journalists. Among those killed was Issam Al-Abdullah, a Reuters correspondent who was fatally shot by an Israeli tank on October 13. The Lebanese caretaker government voted on Friday to direct the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to submit a declaration to the International Criminal Court, accepting the court’s jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute crimes within Lebanese territory since October 7.
The decree also called for including a report from the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research in complaints against Israel to the United Nations. This report focused on the killing of Issam Al-Abdullah and was prepared by analyzing evidence collected from the scene of the incident, including shrapnel, bullet-proof vests, a camera, a tripod, and other materials.
While Lebanon and Israel are not members of the International Criminal Court, submitting a declaration would give it authority to investigate relevant crimes and hold a trial within a specified timeframe. Human Rights Watch praised Lebanon for taking this step towards ensuring justice for war crimes in the country. The organization urged Israel to cooperate with any investigation into its actions in Gaza and emphasized that violators of international law may face consequences in courtrooms around the world.
In conclusion, Lebanon’s acceptance of jurisdiction from ICC is an important move towards justice for war crimes committed on their territory. It sets an example for other countries who may be facing similar situations and sends a clear message that violators will not go unpunished.
