Israel
Hostage families sue ICC prosecutor over alleged Hamas support
The $5.83million lawsuit accuses Karim Khan of levelling false accusations against Israel, as well as providing services to terror groups.
August 17, 2025 11:39
The $5.83million lawsuit accuses Karim Khan of levelling false accusations against Israel, as well as providing services to terror groups.
August 17, 2025 11:39The families of three Israeli hostages being held in Gaza are suing the International Criminal Court's (ICC’s) chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, alleging that he provided support for Hamas, Shurat Hadin—Israel Law Centre announced on Wednesday.
The 20 million shekel ($5.83 million) lawsuit filed with the Jerusalem District Court accuses Khan of levelling false accusations against the State of Israel, as well as providing services to terrorist groups.
The case was brought by the parents of Eitan Mor, the brother of Omri Miran and the mother of Avinatan Or, all of whom are still believed to be alive in captivity.
They argue that Khan's refusal to issue arrest warrants for Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad leaders, particularly those living in Qatar and other Arab nations, has led to a situation where 50 hostages are still held, only 20 of whom are thought to be alive.
In May 2024, Khan announced that he would request arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for crimes against humanity over conduct in Gaza. The Hague-based tribunal moved to issue the two warrants that November.
While Khan initially also requested warrants for Hamas terrorist leaders Ismail Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif, the proceedings were terminated after they were killed by the Israeli army. Khan has not asked for the arrest of additional Hamas terrorists since.
The stated purpose of the suit is to have Khan pay "for his failure to pursue Hamas terrorists and for going after Israel for war crimes allegations, aiding and abetting Hamas and thus being responsible for the situation of hostages still being kept in captivity," Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, the president of Shurat Hadin—Israel Law Centre, told JNS.
"It's also to deter the next chief prosecutor, the one who will take over, because Karim Khan is on leave. Whoever replaces him needs to take action against Hamas in order to rescue the hostages," she added.
"Hamas has to be destroyed and Khan is doing exactly the opposite. He does not take any legal action against them and by going after Israel, he is giving legitimacy to Hamas and legitimacy for them to keep holding the hostages."
Khan is currently on leave pending an investigation into allegations of sexual assault made against him by a former colleague.
Darshan-Leiter said that the new suit is the first such case filed against Khan. "We are going after him personally, because nothing moves in the ICC without preliminary steps by the chief prosecutor. He is the one who needs to initiate an investigation and bring charges against Hamas leaders," she said.
Tzvi Mor, father of Eitan, told JNS: "We can see from day one of this war that the ICC is against Israel.
"Israel was attacked by Hamas and instead of standing with us, the ICC is fighting Israel while my own son is still there in captivity."
Mor is the co-founder of the Tikva Forum, an alternative to the larger Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which is opposed to the idea of a ceasefire deal at any cost and believes that only military pressure will lead to their loved ones' release.
"This is not about money, it’s about Israeli honour. I want the world to see that this is what will happen to whoever wants to stand against us while Israel is fighting Hamas," Mor told JNS.
Eitan, the eldest of eight children, was working as a security guard at the Nova music festival on October 7.
According to his father, Eitan saved dozens of people before being abducted by Hamas.
To get more Israel news, click here to sign up for our free Israel Briefing newsletter.