ALBAWABA - Joined by a major legal team, Tunisian Bâtonnier Hatem Meziou announced that he and his team will be presenting a lawsuit before the International Criminal Court (ICC) to prosecute Israel for "war crimes and genocidal acts against the Palestinian people".
Speaking to the Tunisian radio Mosaic, Meziou said that along with several members of a legal committee, they have filed a legal file for their suit against Israel regarding "war crimes and extermination committed by the Zionist entity against the Palestinian people".
"The complaint is based on pursuing five high-profile Israeli officials, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, aiming towards issuing arrest warrants against all those officials included in the suit" Meziou further explained.
"The complaint file contains all evidence of war crimes committed against civilians in Gaza. The suit file we prepared contains numerous evidence proving that the Zionist entity committed genocidal acts, forced displacement, siege, and starvation of the defenseless Palestinian people, as well as the use of internationally prohibited weapons".
"The pieces of evidence presented to the ICC were based on reports by international entities including the United Nations, the Red Crescent, the Red Cross, and the UNICEF, as well as videos and statements issued by officials of the Israeli occupation government" Meziou went on to explain.
According to Meziou, "The Tunisian Bar Association has obtained power of attorney from Gazans who came to Tunisia for treatment. The Association will be a civilian party to present them before the Criminal Court, and protection will be requested for the victims, as stipulated in the Rome Treaty".
South Africa's case against Israel in the ICJ
South Africa announced prosecuting Israel over genocidal doing in Gaza under the International Court of Justice (ICJ), gaining endorsement from multiple countries across the world.
The first public hearings at the Peace Palace in the Hague took place on the 11 and 12 of January. South Africa argued that Israel violated its obligations under the Genocide Convention in its application to the ICJ.
They further argued that "acts and omissions by Israel … are genocidal in character, as they are committed with the requisite specific intent … to destroy Palestinians in Gaza".
South Africa provided the ICJ with extensive evidence of genocidal intent in various public statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and other high-ranking officials in an 84-page complaint.
Al-Aqsa Flood operation against Israel
Hamas military group announced on Oct. 7 a military operation called "Al-Aqsa Flood" against Israel which is the biggest offensive in decades.
Palestinian fighters “infiltrated” Israel from the Gaza Strip and captured military bases and took hostages as photos and videos went viral online showing Hamas fighters on vehicles inside Israel and others paragliding into occupation territory.
In response, Israeli armed forces announced targeting Hamas positions inside the Gaza Strip. Thousands were killed, and dozens of thousands of others were injured in the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
The latest statistics by the Ministry of Health in Gaza revealed that the death toll from Israeli brutal pounding on the Gaza Strip since October 7 has soared to 29,092 people, with more than 69,028 injuries.
Since then, approximately 85% of Gazans have been displaced, all of whom are suffering from severe food insecurity, and the healthcare system has collapsed. Hundreds of thousands of people lack shelter, and aid trucks are entering the area at a lower rate than before the conflict began.
