In this Nov 7, 2019 file photo, the International Criminal Court is seen in The Hague, Netherlands. (PETER DEJONG/AP)

AMSTERDAM - The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court on Wednesday said her office will open a formal investigation into war crimes in the Palestinian Territories which will examine both sides in the conflict.

Fatou Bensouda, prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, named both the Israeli Defense Forces and armed Palestinian groups such as Hamas as possible perpetrators

The decision comes after the court ruled on Feb 5 that it has jurisdiction in the case, a move which prompted swift rejection from Washington and Jerusalem. The Palestinian Authority welcomed the decision.

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“The decision to open an investigation followed a painstaking preliminary examination undertaken by my office that lasted close to five years,” outgoing Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said in a statement.

Bensouda said in December 2019 that “war crimes have been or are being committed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip”. She named both the Israeli Defense Forces and armed Palestinian groups such as Hamas as possible perpetrators.

The next step will be to determine whether Israel or Palestinian authorities have investigations themselves and to assess those.

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