ICC Seeks Arrest of Israeli, Hamas Leaders Amid Growing Tensions.
The ICC prosecutor has applied for arrest warrants for Israeli PM Netanyahu and Defense Minister alongside Hamas leadership over Gaza conflict allegations. Citing reasonable grounds, Karim Khan accused the leaders of war crimes and humanity, triggering furious responses.
Netanyahu termed the move “disgusting,” while Biden rejected any equivalence between Israel and Hamas.
The applications follow events of October 2023 wherein Hamas attacks killed 1200 Israelis, taking 252 hostages in Gaza. Over 35,500 Palestinians also perished, as per the Gaza health ministry.
Khan suspects Netanyahu and Gallant of starvation as warfare, murder, and attacks on civilians. For Hamas, crimes since the 7th include extermination, murder, and hostage-taking.
While allies like the US condemned the action, France reiterated ICC independence. Germany cited simultaneous charges creating false parity.
Hamas demanded canceling “victim-executioner” equivalency and naming other Israeli leaders for the delay.
With judges to rule on warrants, compliance obligation worries ceasefire efforts as tensions flare over the controversial step amid criticisms of overreach.
Observers say the fraught political fallout and polarised reactions exacerbate reconciliation challenges as peaceful resolution remains elusive in the long-running conflict.
