THE HAGUE: International Criminal Court’s prosecutor said he had requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his defence Chief and three Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes.

ICC prosecutor Karim Khan said in statement issued after over seven months of war in Gaza that he had reasonable grounds to believe that five men “Bear criminal responsibility” for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

He said he had applied for an arrest warrant for Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant as well as for Netanyahu. They have overseen Israel’s offensive against Hamas in Gaza.

He has applied for arrest warrants for Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar; Mohammed Al-Masri, commander-in-chief of military wing of Hamas and Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas’ Political Bureau.

Panel of pre-trial judges will determine whether evidence supports issuing of arrest warrants, but court has no means to enforce such warrants and its investigation into Gaza war has been opposed by United States and Israel.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 21 2024

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