Israeli Prime Minister, Hamas leader indicted by ICC against war crimes
By Kwedu News
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, Kwedu News has learnt.
The ICC’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, announced the decision, citing the October 7 attacks on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza.
The charges against Netanyahu along with his Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, include, starvation of civilians as a method of warfare, wilful killing and murder, intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population.
They also stand accused of extermination and persecution as well as other inhumane acts.
On the other hand, charges against Hamas leaders Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh include extermination and murder, taking hostages.
They are also accused of rape and other acts of sexual violence, torture and cruel treatment and outrages upon personal dignity.
The ICC’s decision has sparked controversy, with Israeli officials denouncing the move as “Jew hatred” and “a crime of historic proportions.”
The United States, which is not a member of the ICC and a known Israeli ally, has also condemned the decision.
The ICC has faced challenges in enforcing arrest warrants in the past, and it remains to be seen whether Netanyahu and the other officials will be arrested and brought to trial.
“Arrest warrants against them are arrest warrants against us all,” Israeli Finance Minister Mr Bezalel Smotrich said in a statement.
The ICC panel released a legal assessment for supporting Mr Khan’s decision for the arrest warrants of military commanders of Hamas and Israel.
“After assessing the material provided by the Prosecutor, including statements from survivors and eye-witnesses at the scene of six key attack locations which include Kfar Aza, Holit, the location of the Supernova Music Festival, Be’eri, Nir Oz, and Nahal Oz.
Netanyahu is yet to respond but has previously addressed the prospect of the ICC action against him.
So far the ICC has issued 42 arrest warrants since it was founded in 2002, with only 21 suspects having been taken into custody.
