A prosecutor in the International Criminal Court (ICC) has applied for an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas members.
Karim A.A. Khan KC announced he is filing applications for arrests today for the Israeli Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Israel Yoav Gallant.
He alleged the pair “bear criminal responsibility” for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip from “at least” October 8th.
Alleged war crimes include starvation of civilians as a “method of warfare” and “intentionally directing attack” against civilians in Gaza.
Crimes against humanity include persecution and extermination.
#ICC Prosecutor @KarimKhanQC announces applications for arrest warrants in relation to Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant in the context of the situation in the State of #Palestine ⤵️https://t.co/WqDZecXFZq pic.twitter.com/bxqLWc5M6u
— Int'l Criminal Court (@IntlCrimCourt) May 20, 2024
Mr Khan said that the war crimes were committed in the context of the “armed conflict” between Israel and Palestine.
He said that the crimes against humanity were committed “as part of a widespread and systematic attack against the Palestinian civilian population”.
The goal of Mr Netanyahu is to eliminate Hamas, secure the return of hostages taken on October 7th and “collectively punish” the civilian population of Gaza, which he perceives as a “threat” to Israel, according to Mr Khan.
He noted that over a million people in Gaza are facing “catastrophic hunger” as the result of a “manmade disaster”.
Arrest warrants for Hamas
The prosecutor has also issued arrest warrant applications for Hamas members Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri and Ismail Haniyeh for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed since October 7th.
These crimes include murder, taking hostages, sexual violence and torture.
Mr Khan claimed the three men were responsible for the killing of hundreds of Israeli civilians on October 7th.
KE3PW5 Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territory. 18th Oct, 2017. Hamas's leader in the Gaza Strip Yahya Sinwar meets with leaders of Palestinian factions, in Gaza city on October 18, 2017 Credit: Atia Darwish/APA Images/ZUMA Wire/Alamy Live NewsHe called for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages.
Noting that Israel has a right to defend itself, the prosecutor said Mr Netanyahu and Israel are not “absolved” of its “obligation to comply with international humanitarian law”.
A panel of ICC judges will now consider Mr Khan’s application for the arrest warrants.
The ICC previously issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin due to the war in Ukraine.
