ICC Prosecutor Requests Arrest Warrants For Israeli Leaders On War Crimes Charges

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, has formally requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Khan has accused them of committing serious war crimes. The charges against Netanyahu and Gallant include:

• Starvation of civilians as a method of warfare.
• Willfully causing great suffering or serious injury to body or health.
• Willful killing or murder.
• Intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population.
• Extermination or murder, including deaths caused by starvation.
• Persecution and other inhumane acts as crimes against humanity.

Khan emphasized that while Israel has the right to defend its population, it must comply with international humanitarian law. The prosecutor highlighted that Israel’s actions in Gaza, including cutting off water and electricity supplies and attacking civilians and aid workers, constitute war crimes.

“The means Israel chose to achieve their military goals in Gaza – intentionally causing death, starvation, great suffering, and serious injury to the civilian population – are criminal,” Khan stated.

“As I also repeatedly underlined in my public statements, those who do not comply with the law should not complain later when my Office takes action. That day has come,” Khan said.

Siege And Humanitarian Crisis

Khan highlighted the severe impact of the siege, including the cutting off of water pipelines and electricity supplies from Oct. 8, 2023, and ongoing. This, coupled with attacks on civilians and aid workers, created a dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

“My Office submits that these acts were committed as part of a common plan to use starvation as a method of war and other acts of violence against the Gazan civilian population,” Khan said. The plan aimed to eliminate Hamas, secure the return of abducted hostages, and collectively punish the Gaza civilian population, Khan added.

Arrest Warrants For Hamas Leaders

In addition to Israeli officials, Khan is seeking arrest warrants for Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammad Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh. The charges against them include the killing of hundreds of Israeli civilians and the abduction of at least 245 hostages on Oct. 7, 2023.

“My Office submits there are reasonable grounds to believe that Sinwar, Deif, and Haniyeh are criminally responsible for these acts,” Khan said, reiterating the call for the immediate release of all hostages.

Upholding International Humanitarian Law

Khan defended the ICC’s actions, emphasizing the court’s commitment to independence and impartiality. “International law and the laws of armed conflict apply to everyone,” he stated. “No foot soldier, no commander, no civilian leader can act with impunity.”

“Now more than ever, we must collectively demonstrate that international humanitarian law applies to all individuals and situations,” he stated. This commitment, he said, is crucial to proving that the lives of all human beings hold equal value.

International And Market Reactions

A U.S. official response to the ICC’s decision to apply for arrest warrants against top Israeli officials is still pending.

The TA-125, Israel’s major stock index, rose 0.4% on Monday in domestic trading, recovering from a 1.4% decline on Friday.

Pre-market trading of Israeli ADRs in New York was mostly light.

The VanEck Israel ETF ISRA remained unchanged on Monday after a 0.3% drop on Friday.

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