The ICC’s top prosecutor, Karim Khan, wants to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes in Gaza and Israel.
Khan accuses Israel of using starvation and other attacks against civilians, leading to suffering and deaths, especially among children and women.
The arrest warrants also target Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif for charges including murder, hostage-taking, rape, and sexual assault. This move is unusual as it’s the first time the ICC has pursued a national leader from a close US ally, akin to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s situation with an ICC arrest warrant related to the Ukraine war.
Now, ICC judges will review Khan’s requests for these arrest warrants.