Spanish minister suggests taking Israel to ICC for 'war crimes'

ANKARA

Spain's acting social rights minister suggested taking Israel to the International Criminal Court for "war crimes," local media reported.

Ione Belarra shared a video accusing the European Union and the US of "being complicit in Israel's war crimes," the Spanish daily El Mundo said on Sunday.

She called for actions to denounce Israel before the ICC and deplored the ongoing "planned genocide" in the Gaza Strip.

Ten days into the conflict with Palestinian group Hamas, Israeli bombardment and blockade of the Gaza Strip has continued, with over 1 million people – almost half the total population of Gaza – having been displaced.

Gaza is experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis with no electricity, and water, food, fuel and medical supplies are running out, as civilians flee to the south following Israeli warning to evacuate northern areas.

The fighting began when Hamas on Oct. 7 initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.

The number of Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza has risen to 2,750, including 750 children.

In Israel, 1,300 have been killed.