Chief Prosecutor Says There Is Reasonable Basis To Believe They Committed War Crimes

1

ICC seeks arrest warrants for Hamas, Netanyahu

Chief prosecutor says there is 'reasonable basis' to believe they committed war crimes

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has requested arrest warrants for the leaders of Hamas and for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity.

ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim AA Khan said in a statement that he was filing applications for the warrants of arrests for Netanyahu and for Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. He said there was a "reasonable basis" to believe that they had committed war crimes and crimes against humanity during the 2014 Gaza conflict.

The decision puts Netanyahu in the company of Russian President Vladimir Putin, for whom the ICC issued an arrest warrant over Moscow's war in Ukraine. It is the first time the ICC has sought to arrest a sitting head of government.

Israeli and Hamas leaders have denounced Khan's decision. Netanyahu called it "outrageous" and said the ICC had no power to enforce arrest warrants. Haniyeh said the move was "a political decision" that would not stop the Palestinian people from resisting Israeli occupation.

Biden calls move against Netanyahu outrageous

The Biden administration has also condemned the ICC's decision, calling it "outrageous" and "unfounded." The US is not a member of the ICC and does not recognize its jurisdiction.

The ICC has no power to enforce arrest warrants, and it is unclear whether Netanyahu or Haniyeh will ever be arrested. However, the decision is a significant blow to both leaders and could lead to further international pressure on them.

1