(Photo courtesy of Anadolu)
WASHINGTON – A US grassroots organization and international human rights lawyers have formally requested the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and other senior American officials over allegations of complicity in genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
The Taxpayer Alliance Against Genocide (TAAG) said Wednesday that it submitted evidence to the ICC Office of the Prosecutor in The Hague, accusing US officials of aiding and abetting alleged atrocities committed by Israel in the Palestinian territory.
According to the group, the submission included sworn statements from doctors who served in Gaza, eyewitness accounts, whistleblower testimony, video footage, and documents detailing Washington’s military, financial, diplomatic, and political support for Israel.
Speaking at a press conference in The Hague following the submission, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese emphasized the importance of international legal mechanisms in addressing alleged violations.
“International law remains the last peaceful instrument we possess to confront injustice and pave the way forward,” Albanese said.
“The legal tools are there. What is missing is the political courage to use them,” she added.
Among those who provided testimony were American trauma surgeon Dr. Feroze Sidhwa, who worked in Gaza on two occasions, and David McIntosh, a former manager at the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
The delegation called for accountability among government officials accused of supporting alleged international crimes.
“No more impunity for those who finance, arm, aid and abet genocide. No government official is above international law,” the group said.
However, the ICC has not issued any ruling on the allegations. The submission of evidence does not automatically trigger a formal investigation or the issuance of arrest warrants.
The United States is not a signatory to the Rome Statute, the treaty establishing the ICC, and has consistently rejected the court’s jurisdiction over American and Israeli nationals.
Israel has also denied allegations that its military operations in Gaza constitute genocide.
In November 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, including the alleged use of starvation as a method of warfare.
The Trump administration has strongly opposed the court’s actions.
In July, Rubio threatened to dismantle the ICC “brick by brick, if necessary,” as Washington imposed sanctions on ICC judges, prosecutors, and Albanese over actions it described as illegitimate and baseless.
The latest complaint comes amid continuing international scrutiny of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which began following the October 2023 attacks.
According to casualty figures cited in the report, more than 74,600 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 176,000 wounded since the conflict began, while approximately 90 percent of Gaza’s infrastructure has reportedly been damaged or destroyed.
The allegations against US officials remain unproven, and any decision to pursue an investigation will rest with the ICC prosecutor under the court’s legal procedures.