KATHMANDU, Dec 11: Amnesty International has called on governments to demonstrate their commitment to international justice by supporting institutions such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) and ensuring accountability for crimes committed in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). The appeal follows the conclusion of the ICC Assembly of States Parties in The Hague, the organization said in a press release.
“The international justice system is under attack and faces existential threats. There is no greater litmus test for this than Israel and the OPT,” Amnesty Secretary General Agnès Callamard said, urging states to protect the ICC’s ability to pursue accountability.
According to Amnesty International, Israel continues to commit genocide against Palestinians in Gaza despite the ceasefire, alongside the crimes against humanity inherent in its system of apartheid. The organization also published new research documenting war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups during and after the October 7, 2023 attacks.
The press release stated that global commitments to peace are insufficient without truth, justice and reparations, warning that political agreements ignoring decades of international crimes will only entrench injustice. Amnesty has called on all concerned parties to develop a “roadmap for justice and reparations” aimed at ending Israel’s genocide, apartheid and occupation, while also addressing violations by Palestinian armed groups.
Amnesty International recommended that such a roadmap be built on complementary justice mechanisms, including ICC investigations into crimes by Israeli authorities and Palestinian groups. These investigations must proceed without obstruction and with full cooperation from states, the organization said. It also urged governments to enforce ICC arrest warrants, support UN investigative bodies, and lift sanctions imposed on Palestinian human rights organizations.
The statement said that Israel’s ongoing actions in Gaza—including deliberate deprivation of essential supplies, forced displacement, and attacks that have killed at least 370 people since the ceasefire—demonstrate no change in intent. Amnesty’s analysis asserts that more than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 200,000 injured since the escalation, with conditions still posing “objective probability” of physical destruction.
In the West Bank, Israeli operations and settler violence have intensified, with OCHA recording more than 1,600 settler attacks since January 2025. Amnesty stated that widespread impunity and state support have enabled these abuses.
The organization also detailed crimes committed by Hamas and other armed groups, noting that the 7 October attacks killed around 1,200 people—most of them civilians—and involved systematic targeting of non-combatants. Amnesty documented killings, abductions, sexual violence, and abuse of hostages held in Gaza, concluding that these acts amount to crimes against humanity.
The report said that at least 251 people were taken hostage, many enduring prolonged captivity, violence and psychological abuse. Amnesty interviewed 70 individuals and reviewed hundreds of videos and photos in its investigation. The group said Hamas must return the remains of victims still held in Gaza and fully cooperate with international inquiries.
Amnesty criticized both Israeli and Palestinian authorities for failing to ensure credible investigations into violations committed by actors under their jurisdiction. It also expressed concern over Israel’s lack of accountability, including its failure to comply with International Court of Justice rulings.
According to the press release, the ongoing ICC investigation into the “situation in Palestine” and the arrest warrants issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant remain essential for ensuring justice. Amnesty said the ICC must also continue investigating crimes committed by Palestinian armed groups before, during and after the 7 October attacks.
“Accountability is non-negotiable,” Callamard said, stressing that all perpetrators of international crimes must face justice. The organization urged all parties to cooperate with investigative bodies, implement recommendations, and ensure victims receive effective remedies, including reparations.
“Without concrete steps to ensure truth and justice, there can be no lasting peace,” the statement added.