ICC Prosecutor Seeks Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu and Palestinian Leaders Over Gaza Conflict
The International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan has submitted requests for arrest warrants targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, alleging their “criminal responsibility” in the Gaza war.
Additionally, Khan has urged ICC judges to issue arrest warrants for leaders of the Palestinian Militant group Hamas, attributing to them the perpetration of human suffering during the conflict. This move is perceived as an attempt to maintain a sense of balance amid the hostilities that erupted on October 7, 2023.
This marks the second instance during Khan’s tenure as ICC prosecutor where arrest warrants have been sought for a sitting head of government or state. The decision on whether to approve the request lies with the ICC judges.
The application of such warrants could ignite a series of political disputes regarding the ICC, an entity not typically affiliated with the UN but occasionally reliant on the UN Security Council.
In 2023, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and some of his senior officials for their alleged involvement in forcible population transfer and war crimes during the Ukrainian conflict of 2022. Despite being supported by the US, these warrants have yet to be enforced, impacting Putin’s international travel arrangements.
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Previously, the ICC also issued arrest warrants for former Sudanese leader Omar al Bashir for his alleged involvement in war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. However, similar to the situation with Putin, these warrants were never executed.
The potential issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli leaders is anticipated to stir up division. While the US applauded the ICC’s action against Putin, as a non-member of the Court, it has cautioned the Prosecutor against actions that might be perceived as infringing on the sovereignty of Israel and the US.
In Gaza, where the conflict has resulted in over 32,000 casualties, the repercussions have reverberated even within the US during an election year. Criticism has been directed at President Joe Biden for what some perceive as a failure to rein in Israeli actions.
Israel, in response, has defended its actions as necessary measures to combat Hamas, which it accuses of posing a threat to its very existence. However, it is the civilian population that bears the brunt of the conflict.
ICC Prosecutor Seeks Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu and Palestinian Leaders Over Gaza Conflict