Families of hostages visit international court to urge the arrest of Hamas leaders

Former captives and relatives of hostages held since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas in southern Israel are visiting the International Criminal Court to urge prosecutors to charge and seek the arrest of leaders of the militant group

THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- Former captives and relatives of hostages held since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas in southern Israel are visiting the International Criminal Court on Wednesday to urge prosecutors to charge and seek the arrest of leaders of the militant group.

The visit is the latest step in efforts by Israelis to seek justice for victims of the attacks, in which about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed and about 250 were taken hostage.

It comes a day after officials said that negotiations between Israel and Hamas are making progress toward another cease-fire and hostage release deal.

The group organizing Wednesday's visit, The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, said in a statement that the complaint it is filing “encompass taking hostages, enforced disappearance, crimes of sexual violence, torture, and more severe allegations.”

ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan is already investigating alleged crimes committed by both sides in the conflict. On Monday, he said in a statement that he was “deeply concerned by the reported bombardment and potential ground incursion by Israeli forces in Rafah.”