The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor’s office announced on Monday that it had formally requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders, Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Al-Masri, and Ismail Haniyeh, for their alleged involvement in war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Prosecutor Karim Khan’s office suspects that all five individuals bear criminal responsibility for the alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in both Israel and the Gaza Strip. However, Israel has vehemently denied any involvement in war crimes in Gaza.
A senior Hamas official expressed strong condemnation of the ICC’s decision, stating that it “equates the victim with the executioner.” This sentiment underscores the complexity and sensitivity surrounding the ICC’s investigation into the conflict.
The fate of the requested arrest warrants now rests in the hands of the court’s pre-trial judges, who will assess whether there is sufficient evidence to justify issuing the warrants. This judicial review process will determine the next steps in the ICC’s pursuit of justice in the region.
