Hostage’s brother: ICC war crimes suit against Hamas can harm terror group, help free hostages

The families of hostages are hoping that suit filed at the Hague will lead to arrest warrants against Hamas leaders in UN member states.

By Adina Katz, World Israel News

The brother of a hostage said that the lawsuit filed against Hamas at the International Criminal Court at The Hague could harm the terror group by leading to the warrants for the arrest against senior Hamas leaders in all UN member states.

“This is a pivotal moment in our struggle against Hamas,” Moshe Or, whose brother Avinatan remains captive by Hamas, told Arutz Sheva about the complaint filed by the hostages’ family.

He added that the suit against Hamas and its “heinous atrocities” was being done not just on behalf of the hostages and their families, and not even on only behalf of Israel, but “on behalf of the entire world.”

Israel, which hasn’t ratified the Rome Statute, a founding document of the ICC, isn’t officially subject to the jurisdiction of the court, although it can file a complaint.

The submission being prepared by the team of lawyers includes 1,000 pages of forensic evidence of Hamas atrocities as well as eyewitness testimony from survivors, freed hostages and first responders.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum and the Raoul Wallenberg Center for Human Rights have signed the complaint which charges Hamas with “kidnapping, crimes of sexual violence, torture and other serious allegations.”

Or underlined the potential impact of the lawsuit on the Hamas leadership. “This is no doubt a move that can affect Hamas. In the end, we want the court to issue arrest warrants for the senior Hamas officials, in all UN member states.”

He clarified that Wednesday’s legal action is distinct from the recent case brought by South Africa against Israel to the ICC.

Or’s message to The Hague was clear: “It’s crucial for the world to recognize the crimes against humanity perpetrated by Hamas, not only against my brother Avinatan and the other hostages and victims but also against the entire State of Israel. We want the world to be aware and to respond,” he told Arutz Sheva.

He ended his remarks by urging global support for Israel.

“The world must join us and choose a side during these days as history is written. On which side does the world want to be? On the side that commits crimes against humanity or the just and correct side?”