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ICC Prosecutor Urges Urgent Arrest Warrants in Gaza Conflict

The ICC Prosecutor calls for urgent arrest warrants amid the escalating Gaza conflict, highlighting the need for accountability and justice. Explore the implications of this critical appeal and its potential impact on international law and peace efforts.

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ICC Prosecutor Calls for Urgent Arrest Warrants Amid Escalating Conflict

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, has made a significant appeal this week, urging for a swift decision regarding the issuance of arrest warrants for a prominent Hamas official. This call comes in the wake of the devastating Hamas-led attack on Israel that occurred on October 7, as well as for the Israeli Prime Minister and Defense Minister due to their actions and conduct during the ongoing war in Gaza.

Mr. Khan emphasized the critical nature of the situation, stating that, “In light of the worsening situation in Palestine,” the court should prioritize a decision with “the utmost urgency.” His initial request, made in May, sought arrest warrants for three key Hamas leaders—Yahya Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh, and Muhammad Deif—on serious allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the October attack.

In addition to the Hamas leaders, Mr. Khan has also pursued warrants for the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing their roles in the military operations in Gaza that followed the initial attack. In his latest filing on Monday, Mr. Khan withdrew his request for a warrant for Mr. Haniyeh, noting his assassination in Tehran in late July. Furthermore, he is currently verifying the status of Mr. Deif, who the Israeli military claimed was killed in a strike on Gaza last month.

In his detailed submission, Mr. Khan argued that the warrants for Mr. Sinwar, Mr. Deif, and the two Israeli ministers are essential to “ensure that they do not obstruct or endanger the investigation or court proceedings.” He stressed the need to “prevent the continuing commission of the crimes alleged,” highlighting the urgency of the matter.

The filing also conveyed a sense of muted frustration, pointing out that the ICC has granted numerous requests for submissions and extensions from various parties, often without providing clarity on the relevance of these proposed contributions to the ongoing proceedings.

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