International Criminal Court Prosecutor Calls for Arrest Warrant for Israeli Prime Minister

The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Galant, and three Hamas leaders—Yahya Sinwar, Muhammad Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh.

In a statement from the Prosecutor, it is asserted that Netanyahu and Galant bear criminal responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Gaza Strip since at least October 8, 2023. The Prosecutor claims that the Israeli leaders are accountable for famine, infliction of suffering, killings, attacks against civilians, destruction, persecution, and other inhumane acts.

The statement further indicates that there are grounds to believe that the three Hamas leaders are criminally responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Israeli territory and the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023. The allegations against the Hamas leaders include murder, hostage-taking, sexual violence, torture, and cruel treatment of detainees. According to the Prosecutor, all three Hamas leaders are responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Israelis resulting from attacks carried out by group terrorists on October 7, 2023.

The Prosecutor's inquiry will be considered by ICC judges. Israel does not recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, whereas Palestine is among the participants of the ICC (124 countries that have signed the Rome Statute).

Hamas terrorists attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking approximately 250 hostages. Following the attack, IDF forces initiated military operations in the Gaza Strip. Earlier in May, Israel commenced operations in Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip, which has not been occupied by Israeli troops during the course of the operation.