Rights group lambasts ICC prosecutor for 'double standards' on Gaza

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor has criticized an International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor for "failure" to act on the situation in occupied Palestinian territories, including the Gaza Strip.

In a statement Friday, the Geneva-based independent human rights organization accused Karim Khan of "clear double standards" for not taking "a practical action," on developments in occupied Palestinian territories and Gaza.

"In light of the extraordinarily high level of documentation — unparalleled in history — of the Israeli wars on Gaza, which fit the definition of a genocide in the making under international law, Khan's selective vision is a shameful affront to justice," it said.

Noting that the prosecutor had visited Israel to meet with victims of a cross-border attack by Gaza-based Palestinian group, Hamas, on Oct. 7, the group said he did not meet with "victims of Israel's occupation and settler terrorism or their families."

The Israeli army resumed bombing the Gaza Strip early Friday after declaring an end to a week-long humanitarian pause with Hamas.

At least 178 Palestinians have been killed and 589 injured on Friday in Israeli airstrikes, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

The humanitarian pause began Nov. 24 as part of an agreement between Israel and Hamas to temporarily halt fighting to allow hostage swaps and aid delivery.

More than 15,000 Palestinians, mostly children and women, have been killed in Israeli attacks since Oct. 7.

Around 1,200 Israelis have also been killed, according to official estimates.