Hamas mentioned this Monday that “resolutely condemn” THE the arrest warrant requested by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) towards their leaders for alleged battle crimes and crimes towards humanity.
“The Hamas motion strongly condemns the efforts of the prosecutor of the Worldwide Prison Court docket they equate the sufferer with the executioner issuing arrest warrants towards a number of Palestinian resistance leaders,” the Palestinian Islamic group mentioned in an announcement.
Ismail Haniyeh speaks to the media in Doha. Picture: EFEHe additionally criticized the courtroom for the request the arrest of solely two Israeli leaders and mentioned he ought to search orders from different Israeli leaders.
What did the ICC prosecutor say?
The chief prosecutor of the Worldwide Prison Court docket introduced on Monday that he’ll search arrest warrants for the leaders of Israel and Hamas.Together with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahurelating to his actions through the seven months of the battle.
Karim Khan mentioned he trusts Netanyahu, His Protection Minister Yoav Gallant and three Hamas leaders —Yehia Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh—are accountable for battle crimes and crimes towards humanity in Gaza and Israel.
Chief Prosecutor of the Worldwide Prison Court docket, Karim Khan. Picture: JOHN THYS / AFPThe prosecutor should search orders from a preliminary fee of three judges, How lengthy does it take? two months on common in evaluating the proof and figuring out whether or not the method can proceed.
Israel shouldn’t be a member of the courtroom, and even when arrest warrants are issued, Netanyahu and Gallant face no rapid threat of prosecution. Nevertheless, Khan's announcement exacerbates Israel's isolation as he continues his struggle and the specter of arrest can complicate journey overseas for Israeli leaders.
Israel: “A historic disgrace”
Israeli Overseas Minister Israel Katz mentioned the lawyer normal's choice to hunt arrest warrants towards Israel's leaders is “A historical shame that can be remembered endlessly.”
He added that he would kind a particular committee to fight any such actions and work with world leaders to make sure that such orders it doesn’t apply to Israel's leaders.
It’s believed that each Sinwar and Deif are hiding in Gaza whereas Israel tries to seek out them. However Haniyeh, the supreme chief of the Islamist militant group, is predicated in Qatar and infrequently travels across the area.
Benny Gantz, former military chief and member of the Israeli Battle Cupboard below Netanyahu and Gallant, sharply criticized Khan's announcement and mentioned Israel is preventing with “one of many strictest ethical codes”. and has a strong judiciary able to investigating its personal actions.
“The State of Israel is waging one of many simply wars in trendy historical past after one other the reprehensible massacre committed by the Hamas terrorist on October 7“, he affirmed. “The prosecutor's place in looking for arrest warrants is itself a criminal offense of historic proportions that can be remembered for generations.”
Accusations towards one another
Israel launched its battle in response to a cross-border assault by Hamas on October 7, which killed round 1,200 individuals, largely civilians, and took 250 hostages. Palestinian authorities. The Israeli offensive has additionally induced a humanitarian disaster in Gazathe place it has displaced about 80% of the inhabitants and left tons of of 1000’s of individuals on the point of hunger, based on the United Nations.
Relating to the Israeli actions, Khan mentioned in an announcement that “the consequences of the usage of hunger as a way of battle, along with others assaults and collective punishments towards the civilian inhabitants of Gaza are critical, seen and extensively identified (…). They embrace malnutrition, dehydration, deep struggling and an rising variety of deaths among the many Palestinian inhabitants, together with infants, different youngsters and ladies“.
From the actions of Hamas on October 7, He mentioned he noticed the “devastating scenes” himself of those assaults and the profound affect of the unacceptable crimes outlined within the calls for introduced right this moment. In talking with survivors, I heard how the love inside a household, the deepest bonds between dad and mom and youngsters, have been twisted to trigger unimaginable ache by acalculated cruelty and excessive brutality. These acts demand accountability.”
After a quick interval of worldwide help for its battle, Israel has not too long ago come below fireplace because the battle drags on and the dying toll mounts.
Israel additionally faces a case introduced by South Africa earlier than the Worldwide Court docket of Justice, by which Israel is accused genocide. Israel denies the accusations.
Khan indicated that he would search the arrests 14 months later The court issues an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putinfor battle crimes, accusing him of non-public accountability for the kidnapping of Ukrainian youngsters.
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