ICC seeks Netanyahu’s arrest

The ICC’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity since October 7, 2023. Arrest warrants are also sought for three Hamas leaders. The ICC has been examining Israeli and Hamas operations for potential war crimes. Israeli officials have vehemently criticized the ICC move, with Netanyahu calling it a ‘historic scandal’ and others echoing the sentiment or accusing the ICC of antisemitism. Khan cited specific accusations of ‘starvation’, ‘willful killing’, and ‘extermination’ against the Israeli ministers. For the Hamas leaders, charges include murder, kidnapping, and rape. If an arrest warrant is issued, member countries of the ICC would be required to detain Netanyahu if he enters their jurisdiction.