Cairo: The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, has issued a warning that obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza might potentially constitute a criminal offense.

Khan's statement came after his visit to the Rafah crossing in Egypt, where he noted that trucks filled with critically needed supplies were unable to cross into Gaza. He expressed concern that hindering the delivery of relief supplies, as outlined in the Geneva Conventions, could be considered a crime within the jurisdiction of the ICC.

"I saw trucks full of goods, full of humanitarian assistance stuck where nobody needs them, stuck in Egypt, stuck at Rafah," Khan stated. "These supplies must get to the civilians of Gaza without delay."

Rafah currently serves as the sole entry point for international aid into the Hamas-governed Palestinian territory, which has been under a nearly complete blockade and has faced persistent Israeli airstrikes.

The Israeli blockade and a massive bombing campaign were initiated after Hamas militants crossed the border on October 7, resulting in the deaths of 1,400 people, primarily civilians, and the capture of 230 hostages, according to Israeli authorities. Since then, Israeli strikes have claimed the lives of more than 8,000 individuals, including half of them being children, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry in Gaza.

Following the resumption of limited aid deliveries through the Rafah crossing on October 21, a total of 117 trucks have entered Gaza. Prior to the blockade, around 500 trucks carrying aid and other supplies would enter Gaza daily.

Khan emphasized the importance of ensuring that Gaza's civilians promptly receive essential items such as food and medicine. He also mentioned that the ICC has an ongoing investigation into any potential crimes committed in the Palestinian territories, including Gaza and the West Bank.

Additionally, Khan expressed concern about the increasing number of reported incidents involving attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, a territory occupied by Israel since 1967.

The ICC, established in 2002, is the world's only independent tribunal authorized to investigate serious crimes, including war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. In 2015, the Palestinians signed the court's founding Rome Statute, while Israel, which is not a party to the ICC, has declined to cooperate with the investigation or acknowledge its jurisdiction.