ICC Prosecutor Seeks Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu and Sinwar for War Crimes Over October 7 and Ga..

ICC Chief Prosecutor Seeks Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu and Hamas Leaders Over War Crimes Allegations

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, announced on Monday that he is seeking arrest warrants for several high-profile leaders, including Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in connection with alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza and Israel.

Khan's statement indicated that there are “reasonable grounds to believe” that Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant are responsible for grave offenses such as intentional attacks on civilian populations, willful killing, causing suffering, using starvation as a method of warfare, and other inhumane acts.

The prosecutor also named key Hamas leaders, including the Palestinian armed group’s leader Yahya Sinwar, the commander of its military wing Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri, and the chief of Hamas’ Political Bureau Ismail Haniyeh. These Hamas officials are suspected of murder, rape, acts of sexual violence, taking hostages, torture, and other inhumane acts.

This move follows a series of violent events that escalated in October when Hamas fighters launched an incursion into Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and 250 hostages. Israel's subsequent large-scale military operation in Gaza has led to significant casualties, with the Palestinian enclave’s health ministry reporting 35,456 deaths and 79,476 injuries due to Israeli airstrikes and ground offensives.

While Israel is not a member of the ICC and does not recognize its jurisdiction, the State of Palestine has been a member since 2015. If the warrants are issued, ICC member states would be obliged to arrest the named individuals should they enter their territories.

Israeli officials have responded strongly to the ICC's actions. Benny Gantz, a centrist member of Israel’s war cabinet, condemned Khan's decision as “a crime of historic proportions,” asserting that Israel's ac..