ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes

The International Criminal Court is seeking arrest warrants against Israeli and Hamas leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The ICC's chief prosecutor says the leaders are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza and Israel. A panel of legal experts appointed by the prosecutor's office has concluded there are "reasonable grounds" to believe war crimes and crimes against humanity have been committed. This includes murder, extermination, using starvation as a weapon of war, deliberate targeting of civilians, and other inhumane acts. The decision to seek arrest warrants for Mr. Netanyahu and his Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is likely to be granted by the Court soon. This decision has been criticized by Israel's allies as scandalous and a distortion of justice. The prospect of a trial at the Hague is causing tension in Israel, with political leaders condemning the announcement. The Israeli Foreign Minister called it scandalous, while the opposition leader described it as a terrible political failure. The ICC's move is expected to entrench views in the short term, but lawyers believe it will help deter war crimes in Israel and beyond in the long run. The court was established in 2002 to prosecute individuals responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and the crime of aggression. The United States, which has supported Israel, lifted sanctions in 2021. The ICC's chief prosecutor has also issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin in the past, leading to tensions between Russia and the court.