The International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor announced on Monday that he is seeking arrest warrants for Hamas leaders and the Prime Minister of Israel on allegations of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. Both Israel and Hamas have swiftly responded to this news.
Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan stated on Monday that he is submitting arrest warrant applications to the ICC’s first pre-trial chamber handling the Palestinian situation.
According to the requirements, he must request authorization from a pre-trial panel of three judges, which typically takes about two months to consider the evidence and determine if the proceedings can move forward.
Karim Khan’s targets for arrest include Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders – Yehia Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh.
The Chief Prosecutor stated that based on evidence collected and reviewed by his office, there are reasonable grounds to believe that Sinwar, Deif, and Haniyeh of Hamas have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in both Israeli territory and Gaza.
Karim Khan also stated in the same announcement that based on evidence collected and reviewed by his office, there are reasonable grounds to believe that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Gallant bear criminal responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
The Associated Press reported that Israel is not a member of the ICC, so even if arrest warrants are issued, Netanyahu and Gallant would not immediately face the risk of prosecution. However, the threat of arrest could make it difficult for them to travel abroad.
Hamas leaders Sinwar and Deif are believed to still be in hiding in Gaza. Israel is currently pursuing them. But the top Hamas leader Haniyeh resides in Qatar and frequently travels in the region.
Both Israel and Hamas have responded to ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan’s actions.
Hamas senior official Sami Abu Zuhri stated that this decision will encourage Israel to continue “genocidal war” in Gaza.
On the other hand, Israeli Minister of War Benny Gantz expressed that “comparing the leader of a democratic country determined to defend itself from vile terrorist attacks with the leader of a bloodthirsty terror organization (Hamas) is a severe distortion of justice and a blatant moral decline.”
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid commented that the decision to seek arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Defense Minister Gallant is a “disaster.”