ICC Seeks Arrest Warrant for Netanyahu on War Crimes

The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim A.A. Khan KC, have sought applications for arrest warrants for the Head of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) Leader Yahya Sinwar, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on war crimes charges.

In a press statement issued on Monday, Khan included Mohammed Diab Ibrahim AL-MASRI, Commander-in-Chief of the Hamas military wing, known as Al-Qassam Brigades, Ismail Haniyeh, Head of Hamas Political Bureau, and Yoav GALLANT, the Minister of Defence of Israel to be brought to justice for war crimes and crimes committed against humanity, both in Israel and the State of Palestine.

The statement in part reads:

My Office submits there are reasonable grounds to believe that SINWAR, DEIF and HANIYEH are criminally responsible for the killing of hundreds of Israeli civilians in attacks perpetrated by Hamas (in particular its military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades) and other armed groups on 7 October 2023 and the taking of at least 245 hostages.

The ICC laid out in the report eight criminal charges on Palestine officials, most of which bothers on humanitarian laws, including hostage taking, murder, extermination, rape, torture, cruelty, and captivity.

Isreal’s Netanyahu and  Gallant, on the other hand, were stated to violate seven humanitarian laws, starting October 8, 2023, some of which bothers on starvation of civilians, willful killings, persecution, extermination, intent of direct attack on civilians, and other inhumane acts.

Meanwhile, the ICC’s commitment to justice has shown its independence and impartiality in addressing crimes committed against humanity.

Today, we again underline that international law and the laws of armed conflict apply to all. No foot soldier, no commander, no civilian leader – no one – can act with impunity. Nothing can justify willfully depriving human beings, including so many women and children, of the necessities required for life. Nothing can justify the taking of hostages or the targeting of civilians, Khan reiterated.

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Mayowa Durosinmi

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M. Durosinmi is a West Africa Weekly investigative reporter covering Politics, Human Rights, Health, and Security in West Africa and the Sahel Region

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