Relatives of hostages held in Gaza flew from Israel to The Hague on an emotional trip to draw attention to a complaint filed against the leaders of Hamas at the International Criminal Court. The complaint accuses them of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, including hostage-taking, killings, and acts of sexual violence. The families, numbering about 100 people, are seeking justice for their loved ones. The legal team of the Hostage and Missing Families Forum and the Raoul Wallenberg Center for Human Rights are leading the case.
The families appeared at a rally near the court, holding up portraits of the captives, as hundreds of supporters stood under umbrellas in the driving rain, waving Israeli flags and chanting, “Bring them home now!”
“It’s important to use the international tools that are more often used against Israel,” said one family member.
More than 250 people were abducted to Gaza during the Hamas-led attack of Oct. 7, mostly from border communities, army bases, and an outdoor music festival. About half remain in captivity, though Israel has confirmed that at least 31 are dead.
The court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, must now evaluate the evidence submitted to the court, based on the testimony of about 100 witnesses, according to Dana Pugach, a member of the hostage forum’s legal team. Some witnesses are expected to testify in person at The Hague.
The prosecutor will then decide whether to press charges against the accused Hamas leaders, who have not been publicly named by the legal team, and whether to issue arrest warrants.
“We came to sue Hamas,” said one of the relatives.