The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has sought arrest warrants for leaders of Israel and Hamas, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over actions taken during their seven-month war. The prosecutor accused Netanyahu, his defense minister, and three Hamas leaders of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza and Israel. Both Israel and Hamas denounced the move, with Netanyahu calling it a disgrace and an attack on Israel. U.S. President Joe Biden also criticized the prosecutor and supported Israel’s right to defend itself.
A panel of judges will decide whether to issue the arrest warrants. Israel is not a member of the court, so Netanyahu and Gallant do not face immediate prosecution. The war between Israel and Hamas, which began in October, has resulted in thousands of Palestinian deaths and a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The prosecutor cited the use of starvation as a method of warfare and other attacks on civilians.
The announcement has sparked international reactions, with South Africa welcoming the move and stressing the importance of applying the law equally. The ICC was established as a court of last resort to prosecute individuals responsible for atrocities. While some countries, including the U.S. and Israel, do not accept the court’s jurisdiction over war crimes, the ICC has moved forward with seeking accountability for the actions of both Israeli and Hamas leaders.
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