ICC Chief Prosecutor Seeks Arrest Warrants For Israeli PM Netanyahu, Defence Min Gallant & Hamas Leaders Over 'War Crimes'

ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan seeks arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defence Minister Gallant, and Hamas leaders Sinwar, Deif, and Haniyeh for alleged war crimes during the Israel-Hamas war.

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced on Monday that he intends to seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and three senior Hamas leaders—Yehia Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh—in connection with alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the ongoing seven-month conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Karim Khan, the ICC chief prosecutor, expressed his belief that Netanyahu, Gallant, and the Hamas leaders bear responsibility for severe violations of international law in the Gaza Strip and Israel. "The effects of the use of starvation as a method of warfare, together with other attacks and collective punishment against the civilian population of Gaza, are acute, visible, and widely known," Khan stated, as quoted by news agency AP.

"They include malnutrition, dehydration, profound suffering, and an increasing number of deaths among the Palestinian population, including babies, other children, and women," he added.

Khan's request for arrest warrants must be approved by a pre-trial panel of three judges, who typically take about two months to evaluate the evidence and decide if the proceedings can advance, AP's report stated.

Israel, which is not a member of the ICC, dismisses the immediate threat of prosecution for Netanyahu and Gallant, even if the warrants are issued. However, the announcement amplifies Israel's international isolation amid its ongoing military campaign, potentially complicating foreign travel for its leaders.

Hamas leaders Sinwar and Deif are believed to be in hiding within Gaza, while Haniyeh resides in Qatar and travels frequently across the region. 

Israeli PM Netanyahu Slams ICC Prosecutor’s Move As 'Disgrace', US President Joe Biden Calls It 'Outrageous'

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, along with other Israeli leaders, denounced the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor's actions as disgraceful and antisemitic. Netanyahu vowed to continue Israel's defensive actions against Hamas, labeling the accusations against him as a "disgrace" and an attack on the Israeli military and all of Israel, AP reported.

US President Joe Biden echoed Netanyahu's sentiments, lambasting the prosecutor's efforts as "outrageous". He reiterated Israel's right to self-defense against Hamas and emphasised that there is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas. “Whatever this prosecutor might imply, there is no equivalence — none — between Israel and Hamas,” he stated.

According to AP, Hamas also condemned the ICC prosecutor's actions, stating that the move equates the victim with the executioner.

Benny Gantz, a former military chief and current member of Israel’s War Cabinet, sharply criticised the ICC chief prosecutor’s move. "The State of Israel is waging one of the just wars fought in modern history following a reprehensible massacre perpetrated by terrorist Hamas on the 7th of October," he remarked. "The prosecutor’s position to apply for arrest warrants is in itself a crime of historic proportion to be remembered for generations", AP reported.

The war was initiated by Israel in response to a cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7 that resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the kidnapping of 250 others.  According to Gaza health officials, the Israeli offensive has killed over 35,000 Palestinians, with at least half of the victims being women and children. The United Nations reports that the conflict has created a dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, displacing 80% of the population and pushing hundreds of thousands towards starvation.

International aid agencies have repeatedly accused Israel of obstructing aid deliveries during the conflict. Israel, however, denies these claims, stating there are no restrictions on aid entering Gaza and accusing the United Nations of failing to distribute aid properly, as per the report. The U.N. counters that aid workers have come under Israeli fire and that ongoing fighting and a security vacuum have hampered relief efforts.

Khan, who visited the region in December, spoke of witnessing the "devastating scenes" of the Hamas attacks. "Speaking with survivors, I heard how the love within a family, the deepest bonds between a parent and a child, were contorted to inflict unfathomable pain through calculated cruelty and extreme callousness. These acts demand accountability," he said, as quoted by AP.

Israel has faced increasing international criticism as the conflict persists and the death toll rises. Additionally, Israel is contending with a genocide case in the International Court of Justice filed by South Africa, which Israel denies.

Khan’s request for warrants in the Israel-Gaza conflict comes 14 months after the court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes, alleging his responsibility for the abduction of children from Ukraine.