ICC Seeks Arrest of Israeli Leaders Over Alleged War Crimes
The court will not be able to pursue suspects for trial if they do not travel to the 123 member states that recognize its jurisdiction.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The International Criminal Court's prosecutor announced plans Monday to seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and two leaders of the Palestinian militant group Hamas over alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, writes Winston Mwale.
Prosecutor Karim Khan said he asked judges to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant, Hamas' military leader Mohammed Deif and the group's politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh.
The court's judges have not yet ruled on the applications.
If granted, it could lead to a new confrontation between the court and the Israeli government. Israel is not a member of the ICC and has repeatedly rejected its authority, denying the court's jurisdiction.
Khan alleges Netanyahu, Gallant and the Hamas leaders are responsible for crimes in the situation in the Palestinian territories.
The allegations involve Israel's latest military offensive in the Rafah area of the Gaza Strip and the policy of expanding Israeli settlements on occupied lands.
Despite the ICC moves, Gallant told U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan during a meeting Monday that Israel remains "committed to expanding" its operation around Rafah to "dismantle Hamas" and secure the release of captive Israelis.
Khan expressed gratitude for "the excellent support and crucial assistance" of the Palestinian authorities in the investigation.
The Palestinians joined the ICC in 2015 after being granted nonmember observer status at the United Nations.
The court will not be able to pursue suspects for trial if they do not travel to the 123 member states that recognize its jurisdiction.
Palestinian officials welcomed the prosecutor's move as a step toward accountability, while Israel's government condemned it as legally baseless and counterproductive.