WAR crimes arrest warrants for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and three Hamas leaders are being sought by the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.
Karim Khan is demanding the seizure of Hamas chiefs Yehya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh.
He said Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant is also wanted for arrest.
In a stinging announcement, Mr Khan said he believes all of the men are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity since Hamas’s atrocity against Israel on October 7.
Mr Khan said Netanyahu and Gallant were suspected of crimes including starvation of civilians as a method of warfare, murder and directing attacks against civilians.
ICC judges will decide whether there is sufficient evidence to issue arrest warrants, which could take up to two months.
The ICC, based in the Hague, has no power to enforce arrest warrants in Israel as it is not a member of the court.
But the threat of arrest could make it difficult for Netanyahu and Gallant to travel abroad.
And the move deepens Israel’s isolation as it vowed to press ahead with operations against Hamas in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
The Israel PM called Mr Khan’s announcement yesterday a disgrace and an attack on Israel and its military.
This story is from the May 21, 2024 edition of Daily Record.
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This story is from the May 21, 2024 edition of Daily Record.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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