The International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor, Karim Khan, has applied for arrest warrants against top Israeli and Hamas leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip. The accusations include using starvation as a method of warfare and directing attacks against civilians. The request will be reviewed by a panel of judges in the ICC’s pre-trial chamber, with expectations that it will be approved.
Hamas has called on Khan to cancel the arrest warrants, while Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, rejected the requests. The US has backed Israel, while South Africa has supported Khan’s move. If arrest warrants are issued, the accused may face consequences when traveling to ICC member countries.
Although Israel has previously disregarded international legal decisions, issuing arrest warrants could limit the travel options for the accused leaders. The decision will test the commitment of ICC members to uphold international criminal justice in the face of political pressure.