https://arab.news/y8ap6
- Hind Rajab Foundation and Palestinian Center for Human Rights said they have filed the case to ICC
- Killing of 6 journalists shows ‘a pattern of premeditation and deliberate targeting’
LONDON: Two Palestinian rights organizations have filed a case with the International Criminal Court over the killing of six Al Jazeera journalists in an Israeli strike on Gaza City.
In a joint statement on Tuesday, the Hind Rajab Foundation and the Palestinian Center for Human Rights called the attack “a clear-cut criminal act — a war crime and part of a broader genocidal campaign — and it demanded a direct, targeted legal response.”
The groups said the strike was part of “a long war on the press” by Israel, which used “recycled accusations” that the victims were “terrorists in press vests.”
The attack on Sunday destroyed the team’s tent, killing leading correspondent Anas Al-Sharif, correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh, cameraman Ibrahim Zaher and driver-cameraman Mohammed Noufal. Al Jazeera initially reported five of its staff had been killed but later revised the figure to four.
Three others also died in the strike: Freelance cameraman Moamen Aliwa, freelance journalist Mohammed Al-Khaldi and Saad Jundiya, a civilian who was at the scene.
The Israel Defense Forces later confirmed the targeting was deliberate, accusing Al-Sharif of leading a Hamas cell and taking part in the Oct. 7 attacks. The allegations followed weeks of public vilification of Al-Sharif by Israeli officials, which had already raised fears for his safety.
The allegations have been rejected by rights groups, Al-Sharif’s colleagues, the UN, European and Arab governments, and Al Jazeera’s Qatari parent network, which accused Israel of systematically targeting its journalists to block coverage from Gaza.
“The killings of Anas Al-Sharif and his colleagues are not isolated incidents,” HRF and PCHR said. “Investigations reveal a systematic policy targeting Al Jazeera journalists.”
The Article 15 communication filed with the ICC focuses on both the operational chain of command that led to Al-Sharif’s killing — HRF’s contribution — and the documented cases of other slain Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza — PCHR’s contribution — which the groups say show “a pattern of premeditation and deliberate targeting.”
The group said it filed the complaint against Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, IDF chief of the General Staff; Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, commander of the Israeli Air Force; Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor, Southern Command commander; Brig. Gen. Yossi Sariel, former commander of Unit 8200 (Israel’s signals intelligence branch); General A., current commander of Unit 8200; the commander of Palmachim Airbase (name undisclosed); the commander of the “Black Snake” Squadron (name undisclosed); and Col. Avichay Adraee of the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, Arab Media Division, who has been accused of leading a sustained smear campaign against Al-Sharif.
“The evidence is there. The legal foundation is unshakable. The jurisdiction is established beyond question,” the statement said. “What remains is for the International Criminal Court to move past statements of ‘grave concern’ and take the decisive step that justice demands: act.”
The announcement came as US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce declined to condemn Israel over the incident, telling reporters: “We refer you to Israel for information regarding Al-Sharif.”
Bruce expressed respect for journalists in war zones but echoed Israel’s allegations — made without evidence — that Hamas fighters have posed as reporters. “It is a horrible thing to do for those of you committed to finding information to be in that situation,” she said.