ICC Pursues Warrants for Sinwar and Netanyahu's Arrest Over Alleged War Crimes from October 7 Incident and Gaza Conflict
Khan revealed that the ICC is aiming to issue warrants for Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as two senior Hamas leaders - Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri, the leader of the Al Qassem Brigades and commonly known as Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas. If accepted, these warrants would make these Israeli politicians the first high-ranking allies of the United States to face ICC charges. This decision also raises comparisons with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who the ICC has issued an arrest warrant against for Moscow's actions in Ukraine.
A group of ICC judges will now examine Khan's request for the arrest warrants. Alleged crimes against Sinwar, Haniyeh, and al-Masri include "extermination, murder, taking of hostages, rape and sexual assault in detention."
Khan recounted to Amanpour the horror seen on October 7 when "people were ripped from their bedrooms, their homes, and taken from various Israeli kibbutzim." He explained that many have experienced great suffering as a result of these incidents.
The allegations against Netanyahu and Gallant involve "causing extermination, causing starvation as a method of war, including the refusal to provide humanitarian aid supplies, and intentionally targeting civilians during conflicts." When rumors emerged last month about the possibility of this legal pursuit, Netanyahu declared that any ICC arrest warrants against Israeli government and military officials would be a "historic outrage." He also claimed that "Israel has an independent legal system that meticulously investigates any violations of the law."
In response to Netanyahu's remarks, Khan stated emphatically, "Nobody is above the law." He suggested that if Israel does not agree with the ICC's authority, "they are free, notwithstanding their objections to jurisdiction, to challenge the court's judges with their arguments."
Neither Israel nor the United States are members of the ICC. However, the ICC believes it has jurisdiction over Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank due to a formal agreement by Palestinian leaders to adhere to the ICC's founding principles in 2015.
Note: This story is still developing and will be updated.
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The ICC's potential arrest warrants for Gallant and Netanyahu could also spark debates about accountability in the Middle East, given the allegations against them. The world is watching as the situation unfolds, with many calling for justice and adherence to international law.
Source: edition.cnn.com
