War on Gaza: UK-born former Israeli official accused of aiding intentional starvation
A UK-based advocacy group has filed a criminal complaint against a British-born former Israeli official, alleging they aided and abetted the intentional starvation of Palestinians in Gaza, among other war crimes.
The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) said the complaint argues there is clear evidence that the official "was instrumental in supporting the blockade [of] basic necessities such as food, water, electricity, fuel and medical aid, supplies and medication".
"It also shows evidence alleging that the individual provided cover for illegal acts carried out by the Israeli government and military, knowing that doing so would cause those acts to continue," the ICJP said.
Evidence includes "a plethora" of statements the former official made that aimed to delegitimise the UN agency supporting Palestinians and incite unlawful attacks, including on medical facilities and professionals, the ICJP said in a statement.
The individual, whose name the ICJP has kept confidential while any police investigations proceed, also put out statements of hate speech against Palestinians and Muslims.
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"If legal proceedings were initiated, the individual, a dual British-Israeli national, would face seven counts of serious international law violations," ICJP said.
This is the third time since January that the advocacy group has filed criminal complaints linked to the war. It follows a Metropolitan Police appeal to the public for evidence of war crimes committed in Israel and Gaza.
Earlier complaints have focused on senior UK politicians, including ministers, and government officials, arguing they are complicit in alleged Israeli war crimes in Gaza.
"We will accept nothing less than a thorough and impartial investigation into these allegations," Tayab Ali, ICJP director and head of international law at Bindmans LLP, said when the first complaint was filed in January.
Since 7 October, when Hamas killed around 1,140 people in an operation in southern Israel, 36,654 Palestinians have been killed and 83,309 wounded, according to the latest figures from Gaza's health minister.
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