The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor said on Monday he had requested an arrest warrant for Hamas leader and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on war crimes and anti-government charges related to the Oct. 7 Israeli attack and the war in Gaza. Human sin. .
Prosecutor Karim Khan said in a statement that he would seek arrest warrants for Hamas’s Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh. He also said he was requesting arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant.
While Mr Khan’s request must still be approved by a court judge, the announcement is a blow to Mr Netanyahu’s government and is likely to intensify international concern about Israel’s seven-month campaign against Hamas and the consequences of the war. Criticism of the damage done to Gaza. civilian.
There was no immediate response from the Israeli government or Hamas. Israel is not a member of the court and does not recognize its jurisdiction in Israel or Gaza. But if a warrant is issued, those named could be arrested if they go to one of the courthouses. 124 member countrieswhich includes most European countries but not the United States.
