ICC Chief Prosecutor Requests Urgent Arrest Warrants for Israeli Leaders and Hamas Officials
International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan has urgently requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif. Khan expressed concerns about their potential interference with ongoing investigations into escalating violence in Israel and alleged war crimes. The prosecutor emphasized ongoing crimes of hostage-taking and starvation, urging immediate action by the court’s pre-trial chamber.
Khan had previously pressed the court to rule on the arrest warrants, citing the ICC’s jurisdiction to investigate Israeli officials for alleged atrocities in Palestinian territories. The decision now rests with the pre-trial chamber, which may request additional evidence before issuing a ruling. Israeli sources anticipate a favorable response to Khan’s request.
If warrants are issued, Netanyahu and Gallant could face arrest if they enter any of the 123 countries signatories to the Rome Statute, excluding Palestine. Notably, the United States is not subject to ICC jurisdiction, but several Western countries are. Russian President Vladimir Putin has avoided an ICC arrest warrant by refraining from visiting signatory countries until a recent trip to Mongolia.
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