The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor has announced the filing of applications for arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes committed during the conflict in Gaza.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor, Karim Khan, has announced the filing of applications for arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders, alleging they committed war crimes and crimes against humanity during the conflict in Gaza.
Based on evidence collected and examined by the ICC prosecutor's office, Khan has "reasonable grounds" to believe Netanyahu and Gallant "bear criminal responsibility for ... war crimes and crimes against humanity committed on the territory of the State of Palestine."
The alleged crimes include "starvation of civilians as a method of warfare" and "intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population."
Khan is also seeking arrest warrants for Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, its top political leader Ismail Haniyeh, and its military commander Mohammed Dief.
The ICC prosecutor alleges that the Hamas leaders are criminally responsible for "extermination" and "murder as a crime against humanity," taking hostages as a war crime, and rape and other acts of sexual violence committed since the October 7 massacre in Israel.
Khan stated that during his visit to affected areas, he witnessed the devastating scenes of attacks and the profound impact of the alleged crimes.
The ICC prosecutor's office has also found "reasonable grounds to believe that hostages taken from Israel have been kept in inhumane conditions, and that some have been subject to sexual violence, including rape."
Israeli war cabinet member and opposition leader Benny Gantz denounced the ICC announcement, calling it "a crime of historic proportion to be remembered for generations."
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz termed the move a "historic disgrace that will be remembered forever."
The ICC prosecutor emphasized that the independent judges of the court will determine whether the necessary standard for issuing arrest warrants has been met.
Israel and the U.S. are not members of the ICC and do not recognize its jurisdiction, but the Palestinian Authority became a member in 2015.
Anne Bayefsky, director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust, criticized the ICC prosecutor's move as attempting to "criminalize the self-determination of the Jewish people" and undermines Israel's war of survival.
