The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor’s office announced on Monday, May 20, 2024 that it has requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his defense chief, and three Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes.
Prosecutor Karim Khan’s office suspects all five individuals—Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Al-Masri, and Ismail Haniyeh—of bearing criminal responsibility for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Israel or the Gaza Strip.
Israel has denied any wrongdoing in the Gaza conflict, which was sparked by a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7. “The ICC’s decision equates the victim with the executioner,” a senior Hamas official told Reuters.
The final decision on whether there is sufficient evidence to issue the warrants rests with the court’s pre-trial judges.
