ICC seeks arrest warrants against Netanyahu, Hamas leaders for war crimes
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The International Criminal Court (ICC) has applied for arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, alongside three senior Hamas leaders, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The announcement, made by ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, represents one of the most significant legal actions against high-ranking officials in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Karim Khan outlined the charges in a comprehensive statement, asserting that the evidence his office has collected implicates both Israeli and Hamas leaders in serious violations of international law. The alleged crimes were committed in the Gaza Strip and Israel, beginning in early October 2023, a period marked by intense hostilities between Israeli forces and Hamas militants.
"On the basis of evidence collected and examined by my Office, I have reasonable grounds to believe that Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, and Yoav Gallant, the Minister of Defence of Israel, bear criminal responsibility for the following war crimes and crimes against humanity committed on the territory of the State of Palestine (in the Gaza strip) from at least October 8, 2023," stated Khan.
Among the specific charges listed against Netanyahu and Gallant are:
- Starvation of civilians as a method of warfare.
- Wilfully causing great suffering or serious injury to the body or health.
- Wilful killing.
- Intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population.
- Extermination and/or murder, including deaths caused by starvation.
- Persecution and other inhumane acts as crimes against humanity.
- The ICC has also issued warrants for the arrests of three senior Hamas officials: Yahya Sinwar, the head of Hamas in Gaza; Mohammed Deif, the commander-in-chief of the Al-Qassam Brigades; and Ismail Haniyeh, head of the Hamas Political Bureau. These leaders face allegations of committing heinous crimes against both Israeli and Palestinian civilians since October 7, 2023.
- Khan detailed the accusations against the Hamas leaders, which include:
- Extermination and murder as crimes against humanity.
- Taking hostages as a war crime.
- Rape and other acts of sexual violence as both crimes against humanity and war crimes.
- Torture and cruel treatment of individuals in captivity.
- Outrages upon personal dignity as a war crime.
"On the basis of evidence collected and examined by my Office, I have reasonable grounds to believe that Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh bear criminal responsibility for the following war crimes and crimes against humanity committed on the territory of Israel and the State of Palestine (in the Gaza strip) from at least October 7, 2023," Khan explained.
The ICC's actions come amidst a backdrop of intense violence and suffering in the Gaza Strip and Israel, with both sides facing allegations of severe human rights violations.
Israeli officials have denied the accusations, arguing that their military actions are in defence of their nation against what they describe as terrorist activities by Hamas. Conversely, human rights organizations have welcomed the ICC's decision, viewing it as a crucial step towards justice for the victims of the conflict.
Hamas has also rejected the charges against its leaders, claiming that their actions are in resistance to Israeli occupation and aggression. Both Israeli and Hamas spokespeople have criticized the ICC, accusing it of bias and political motivations.