ICC Prosecutor Seeks Arrest Warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu

SEAToday.com, Jakarta-The International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan sought arrest warrants for Israel and Hamas leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday (5/20).

Aside from Netanyahu, the warrants are sought for Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The ICC identifies them as "those most responsible" for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. These accusations include "starvation," "willful killing," and "extermination and/or murder."

Hamas leaders, including their head Yahya Sinwar, are also facing ICC charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, with accusations of "extermination" and hostage-taking.

A panel of ICC judges will now determine whether to issue arrest warrants. If issued, countries that have signed the ICC's Rome Statute would be obligated to detain the named individuals if they have the opportunity to do so.

Currently, 124 countries are signatories, although the US, China, Russia, and Israel itself are not. However, Palestine's membership in the ICC allows the court to pursue this case.