International Criminal Court chief prosecutor says he is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and three Hamas leaders.
Doctors Without Borders, known by its French initials MSF, reports that the besieged al-Awda Hospital close to Jabalia has completely run out of drinking water.
Earlier on Sunday, Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi called for an international inquiry into “war crimes” committed during Israel’s war on Gaza, as Israeli attacks killed 31 people in the Nuseirat refugee camp.
Martin Griffiths, the UN humanitarian chief, has warned of “apocalyptic” consequences of aid shortages in Gaza as key Rafah and Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossings remain “effectively blocked”.
At least 35,456 people have been killed and 79,476 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. The death toll in Israel from Hamas’s attack is 1,139, with dozens still held captive.
- More on push for arrest warrants against Hamas officials
International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan seeks arrest warrants for Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri, chief of the military wing of Hamas, the Al-Qassam Brigades, and Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’ political bureau.
He said that they bear criminal responsibility for the following war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Israel and Gaza from at least October 7.
- Extermination as a crime against humanity
- Murder as a crime against humanity
- Taking hostages as a war crime
- Rape and other acts of sexual violence as crimes against humanity and as war crimes in the context of captivity
- Torture as a crime against humanity and also as a war crime in the context of captivity
- Other inhumane acts as a crime against humanity in the context of captivity
- Cruel treatment as a war crime in the context of captivity
- Outrages upon personal dignity as a war crime in the context of captivity.
What’s behind ICC chief prosecutor’s move?
The ICC only deals with serious crimes but when you hear what is detailed on both sides, it really is sobering.
On the Israeli side, he is naming the prime minister and the defence minister but says this was a state policy, this was official government policy to use starvation as a method of war.
I think it is interesting that he’s decided to make this public at this stage because the other important decision by Khan in the last couple of years is when he brought an arrest warrant against Vladimir Putin and his children’s commissioner, Maria Lvova-Belova – that was in March 2023.
At that stage there were arrest warrants. We’re not at this stage; he’s gone public saying there should be arrest warrants and he needs to go to the judges.
Last time, he had already gone to the judges and it was made public that the judges have approved the recommendation.
I can’t tell you the reason why but perhaps he’s trying to force an end to the violence by speaking out as early as possibly and try to force efforts for a ceasefire. That seems to be a possibility why he’s decided to act this way.
- What’s behind ICC chief prosecutor’s move?
The ICC only deals with serious crimes but when you hear what is detailed on both sides, it really is sobering.
On the Israeli side, he is naming the prime minister and the defence minister but says this was a state policy, this was official government policy to use starvation as a method of war.
I think it is interesting that he’s decided to make this public at this stage because the other important decision by Khan in the last couple of years is when he brought an arrest warrant against Vladimir Putin and his children’s commissioner, Maria Lvova-Belova – that was in March 2023.
At that stage there were arrest warrants. We’re not at this stage; he’s gone public saying there should be arrest warrants and he needs to go to the judges.
Last time, he had already gone to the judges and it was made public that the judges have approved the recommendation.
I can’t tell you the reason why but perhaps he’s trying to force an end to the violence by speaking out as early as possibly and try to force efforts for a ceasefire. That seems to be a possibility why he’s decided to act this way.
- More on arrest warrants from the ICC Prosecutor
International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan has announced that it is filing applications for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yaov Gallant before Pre-Trial Chamber I of the Hague-based court.
He said that they bear criminal responsibility for the following war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza from at least October 8, 2023:
- Starvation of civilians as a method of warfare as a war crime
- Willfully causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or health
- Willful killing or murder as a war crime
- Intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population as a war crime
- Extermination and/or murder, including in the context of deaths caused by starvation, as a crime against humanity
- Persecution as a crime against humanity
- Other inhumane acts as crimes against humanity. (Aljazeera)
