The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, has requested arrest warrants for several leaders from Israel and Hamas, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over alleged war crimes during their ongoing conflict. The announcement on Monday targeted Netanyahu, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders Yehya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh.
ICC prosecutor:
“For the following international crimes committed on the ‘territory’ of Israel and the ‘state’ of Palestine” https://t.co/b1Vz9D2nXY pic.twitter.com/IVFVo0oT6S
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) May 20, 2024
Khan accused the leaders of war crimes and crimes against humanity, citing actions in the Gaza Strip and Israel. The accusations include intentional attacks on civilians and using starvation as a method of warfare. A panel of three ICC judges will review the request and decide whether to issue the arrest warrants, a process that typically takes about two months.
The response to the prosecutor’s move has been swift and polarized. Netanyahu and other Israeli officials condemned the ICC’s actions, calling them disgraceful and antisemitic. U.S. President Joe Biden also criticized the prosecutor’s efforts, asserting Israel’s right to self-defense against Hamas. Meanwhile, Hamas labeled the ICC’s request as equating victims with their executioners.
WATCH
Israel PM Netanyahu responds to the ICC:
The outrageous decision by the ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan, to seek arrest warrants against the democratically elected leaders of Israel is a moral outrage of historic proportions. It will cast an everlasting mark of shame on the… pic.twitter.com/Mk23XL7T9C
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) May 20, 2024
Although Israel is not a member of the ICC, and Netanyahu and Gallant are not at immediate risk of arrest, the warrants could hinder their international travel.
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