Palestinian rights groups ask ICC to investigate Israel for war crimes

Three Palestinian human rights groups have asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate Israel for war crimes, including genocide.

The three organisations - Al Haq, Al Mezan and the Palestine Human Rights Campaign - urged the ICC to look into Israeli air strikes on densely populated civilian areas in Gaza, the siege of the enclave and the mass forcible displacement of its population.

"These actions amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, including genocide and incitement to genocide," they said in a joint statement.

The ICC said it had received communication from the groups and would assess the information. 

Israel is not a member of court, based in the Hague, and does not recognise its jurisdiction.

However, the ICC can investigate nationals of non-member states in some circumstances, including when alleged crimes are  committed in the territories of member states. Occupied Palestine is a member of the ICC.

Last week, families of Israeli victims of Hamas' surprise attack on 7 October filed papers at the ICC urging the court to look into Hamas crimes.