International Criminal Court Seeks Arrest Warrants For Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu And Hamas Leaders

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is seeking arrest warrants for top Hamas leader Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, among others, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.

In a statement issued Monday, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan KC said: “No one can act with impunity. Nothing can justify wilfully depriving human beings, including so many women and children, of basic necessities.”

In a exclusive interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Khan detailed the charges against the individuals for which the warrant applications had been issued.

The prosecutor announced applications targeting Sinwar, Al-Qassam Brigade leader Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri (Deif), and Hamas’ Qatar-based bureau chairman Ismail Haniyeh, citing their responsibility for crimes including extermination, murder, and sexual violence. The crimes were committed during the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, involving the killing of hundreds of Israeli civilians and the taking of 245 hostages.

Khan’s investigation, based on interviews with victims and extensive evidence, contends that these Hamas leaders planned and acknowledged these heinous acts, making them criminally liable. “These acts demand accountability,” Khan stated after witnessing the aftermath of the attacks firsthand.

The ICC is also seeking warrants against Israeli leaders. Prosecutor Khan accused Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant of war crimes against Palestinian civilians, including starvation and deliberate attacks.

In his official statement Khan highlighted the impact of these actions, which he says constitute a strategy to eliminate Hamas and collectively punish Gaza’s population.

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