Lebanon takes step towards allowing ICC to prosecute crimes since 7 October

Lebanon is moving towards accepting the International Criminal Court's jurisdiction to prosecute violations on its territory since 7 October.

Beirut has accused Israel of repeatedly violating its sovereignty and breaching international law over the last six months, during which Israeli forces and Lebanese group Hezbollah have traded fire across the border. 

At least 70 civilians, including children, rescue workers and journalists have been killed along the border, including Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah, who was killed by an Israeli tank on 13 October.

On Friday, Lebanon's caretaker cabinet voted to instruct the foreign affairs ministry to file a declaration accepting the ICC's jurisdiction to probe and prosecute crimes committed on Lebanese territory since 7 October.

The foreign ministry was also instructed to include in its complaints about Israel to the United Nations a report prepared by the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) into Abdallah's killing.

While neither Lebanon or Israel are members of the ICC, filing a declaration to the court would grant it jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute crimes over a specified period.

"The Lebanese government has taken a landmark step toward securing justice for war crimes in the country," said Lama Fakih at Human Rights Watch.

"This is an important reminder to those who flout their obligations under the laws of war that they may find themselves in the dock."