Qatar has met with the president of the International Criminal Court, seeking legal action against ‘Israel’ for its unprecedented strike on Doha last week, an official told Agence France Presse (AFP). 

 

The emirate's chief negotiator, Mohammed al-Khulaifi, met in The Hague on Wednesday with the president of the ICC, Judge Tomoko Akane, pursuing "every available legal and diplomatic avenue to ensure accountability for those responsible for Israel's attack on Qatar", the Qatari official said. 

 

Last week's ‘Israeli’ strike targeted Hamas leaders in Doha, but killed five other officials and one Qatari security officer instead. 

 

The attack shook Qatar’s and other Gulf states’ long-assumed security, which relies heavily on the United States. 

 

Speaking on condition of anonymity to AFP because of the sensitivity of the discussions, the official called the ‘Israeli’ attack "unlawful", adding it "constitutes grave violations of international humanitarian law".

 

As an observer state at the ICC, Qatar does not have the authority to directly refer cases to the tribunal. 

 

However, following emergency talks in Doha, the Arab and Islamic blocs urged their member states on Monday to pursue “all possible legal and effective measures to prevent Israel from continuing its actions.”