International Criminal Court opens investigation into war crimes in Palestinian territories

The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor said her office will formally investigate war crimes in the Palestinian Territories, a move welcomed by the Palestinian Authority and denounced by Israel.

The decision comes after the court ruled on February 5 that it has jurisdiction in the case, prompting swift rejection from Washington and Jerusalem.

“The decision to open an investigation followed a painstaking preliminary examination undertaken by my office that lasted close to five years,” outgoing Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said in a…