ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan has filed applications for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Gallant, and other senior Israeli officials. He has also sought arrest warrants for Hamas figures involved in the ongoing conflict, including the late leader Yahya Sinwar and alleged architect of a terror attack, Deif. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a separate arrest warrant for Deif, accusing him of crimes against humanity and war crimes.
The ICC launched an investigation three years ago into possible war crimes committed by both Israel and Palestinian militants going back to the Israel-Hamas war in 2014. Netanyahu has criticized Khan and labeled him a “rogue prosecutor.” Israeli officials condemned the arrest warrants, with President Herzog calling it a “dark day for justice” and “a dark day for humanity.” Rep. Mike Waltz condemned the ICC, accusing it of having “no credibility.”
Some human rights advocates welcomed the decision, viewing it as a step forward for justice for Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Kenneth Roth praised the ICC’s issuance of arrest warrants, stating that all 125 members of the court are now obliged to arrest Netanyahu and Gallant if they enter their territories. Roth also called out governments, including the U.S., that provide military support to Israel, warning them they could be charged with aiding and abetting crimes. President Biden has criticized the ICC’s efforts, rejecting the notion of false equivalence between Israel and Hamas.
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