ICC's Karim Khan seeks arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu, Hamas's Yahya Sinwar, and others - BBC News
ICC Prosecutor Targets Netanyahu & Hamas For Arrest
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Reworded by Marita Moloney
timezone. The times that are mentioned are in the timezone of the United Kingdom.
US's Next Move?
A journalist from BBC who reports from North America.
According to the press secretary, Matt Miller, who spoke at the briefing held by the US State Department, the United States holds the position that the International Criminal Court cannot assert control over Israel or Hamas.
According to him, it is crucial to make Hamas responsible for its deeds.
Miller is strongly against the warrants that are aimed at catching Israeli officials. He believes that these warrants could give Hamas more courage and lower the chances of successful talks to achieve a ceasefire and rescue the hostages.
Currently, the United States isn't following up with any definitive actions to support its strong language. Miller was questioned on the country's future plans, but he expressed that no official statements can be made at this time.
ICC Stands Strong Against US Criticism
The ICC has made a statement in regards to the recent decision by US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, to decline its prosecutor's request for arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders.
The ICC released a statement stating that they have made considerable efforts, but they haven't received any information that proves actual measures being taken in Israel to handle the suspected crimes or the involved individuals.
The statement states that the prosecutor has expressed his worries many times about Israel following international humanitarian law. He has also stated publicly that he has not witnessed any noticeable modification in behavior despite his previous remarks.
Here are the words expressed by Karim Khan, the head prosecutor of ICC, before:
Blinken Cautions Ceasefire May Be At Risk
Antony Blinken said in his statement that the ICC's decision to pursue the apprehension of Israeli officials is unhelpful to the current Gaza conflict. He also implied that it might endanger the attempts to achieve a ceasefire agreement.
Blinken asserts that the head prosecutor acted hastily in requesting the arrest orders, instead of providing sufficient time and chance for the Israeli legal process to take its course.
The prosecutor didn't give Israel the same chance as in other cases to carry out their own investigations. Usually, they let individual states investigate and cooperated with them, but in this instance, they didn't defer to Israel's ongoing investigations into allegations against its personnel.
Blinken stated that Israel was ready to collaborate with the prosecutor even though they were not a part of the court.
Actually, the accuser was supposed to travel to Israel in the upcoming week to talk about the inquiry and listen to what the Israeli administration had to say.
Blinken is also doubtful about the investigative process carried out by the ICC prosecutor, specifically its legitimacy and credibility.
Blinken Says US Rejects ICC Verdict
Antony Blinken, the Secretary of State, has released a statement recently expressing the American government's strong rejection of the ICC's announcement. Moreover, he has also disapproved of the chief prosecutor's comparison of Israel with Hamas.
He stated that it is deplorable. Additionally, the United States has made it apparent prior to the current disagreement that the International Criminal Court does not have the authority to intervene in this affair.
We will share further details of that announcement soon.
Biden Condemns ICC's 'outrageous' Decision
The latest statement comes from Joe Biden, the President of the United States. He condemns the recent request for arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant made by the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and believes it to be "unacceptable".
Here is a complete statement from Biden:
The request from the ICC prosecutor to issue arrest warrants for Israeli leaders is absolutely unacceptable.
Rephrased: I want to make it abundantly clear that despite what the prosecutor may insinuate, there is absolutely no comparison whatsoever between Israel and Hamas.
"We will continue to support Israel in the face of any security challenges."
Warrant Decision Process May Last Weeks
Sharing from The Hague
According to accusations, Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant employed hunger as a tactic of warfare and targeted civilians during military attacks. Meanwhile, Hamas is alleged to have committed crimes such as abduction, sexual assault, and rape.
According to the ICC prosecutor Karim Khan, there is evidence such as interviews from survivors and witnesses, as well as verified materials like videos, photos, and audio recordings, which suggest that Israel intentionally and systematically denied the people of Gaza access to essential items necessary for their survival.
Khan accused the Hamas officials of being accountable for the plot and provocation of the October 7th strikes.
He firmly believes that there is enough evidence to realistically convict.
The team of judges in the ICC needs to come to a consensus before any arrest warrants are given out. It's possible that this decision-making process could last for multiple weeks.
Human Rights Group Hails ICC's Principled Step
According to someone who represents Human Rights Watch, which isn't a government group and is located in New York City, prosecutor Karim Khan's choice is a "good starting point" that allows "the people who did terrible things lately" to have a chance at "a just trial".
According to Balkees Jarrah, who is the associate director of international justice, the fact that they have pursued arrest warrants despite pressure from US lawmakers and others is a testament to the vital importance of the court.
The ICC member nations ought to be prepared to strongly defend the independence of the ICC, as there is a probability of escalated negative influence while the ICC judges review Khan's appeal, according to her statement.
Who's Karim Khan?
Today, there has been discussion about Karim Khan, who holds the title of Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Khan submitted a request for warrants for the arrest of the Prime Minister of Israel and the leader of Hamas in Gaza.
Khan, aged 54, has a prominent position as a British lawyer and King's Counsel. He secured his position in the International Criminal Court in 2021.
For a period of three decades, he has been working as a legal representative for human rights, with a specific emphasis on the domain of international criminal law. Currently, he holds the position of chief prosecutor within the International Criminal Court, which has a history of 18 years. It is worth noting that he is merely the third individual to assume this role.
Before being appointed to the ICC, he headed a United Nations inquiry that focused on those responsible for the atrocities committed by IS in Iraq and held the position of Assistant Secretary-General at the UN.
Prior to that, he was involved in the legal proceedings for the prosecution of criminal activities that took place during the Yugoslav wars and the genocide that occurred in Rwanda.
UK PM: Gaza Fighting Won't Stop With Warrants
Additional responses from foreign entities regarding the ICC's declaration have emerged, with the latest coming from the leader of the United Kingdom.
A representative for Rishi Sunak has stated that the move made by the ICC prosecutor to request arrest warrants for both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other prominent figures from both Israel and Hamas is not constructive.
The spokesperson mentioned that this particular action does not contribute to achieving a ceasefire, releasing hostages or providing humanitarian assistance.
A representative of the government previously stated: "We've made it clear from the start that we don't believe the ICC has the authority in this matter. The UK hasn't acknowledged Palestine as a sovereign country and Israel hasn't signed the Rome Statute [ICC], making it ineligible as a state party," the representative included.
At the beginning of this year, the government of the United Kingdom expressed disapproval towards a lawsuit presented by South Africa to the International Court of Justice, in which Israel was blamed for perpetrating genocide during the Gaza conflict - if you want to know further about this legal battle and the ICJ's judgement, here's where you can access more information.
It's important to remember that the ICJ is responsible for settling disagreements between countries, whereas the ICC is in charge of prosecuting individuals.
"6 Must-Know Facts"
We have been providing you with real-time information and discussing our perspective on the recent announcement made by the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The prosecutor has revealed that he is pursuing arrest warrants for the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza.
Now, let's summarize the information we have gathered up until this point:
Hamas Demands Cancellation Of Leader Warrants
We have obtained additional feedback from Hamas regarding the recent statement made by an official who denounced the arrest warrants for three Hamas executives and claimed that it is an unjust treatment of the victims.
The group repeated their previous remarks, but also added that the request for warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant from Israel is overdue by seven months.
Hamas has called upon the Public Prosecutor to issue warrants for the arrest and detention of all individuals deemed responsible for war crimes against the Palestinian people, including those affiliated with the occupying forces such as officers, leaders, and soldiers.
Rewritten: The quote calls for the annulment of any arrest orders directed towards Palestinian resistance leaders who have breached the guidelines and regulations established by the United Nations.
'Unacceptable Move' - Israeli President's Stance
The President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, has expressed his response to the International Criminal Court (ICC) statement, denouncing it as "completely unacceptable" and highlighting that it showcases the extent to which the global judiciary system is at risk of breaking down.
According to his statement, the action taken is one-sided and favors only one side. He believes that this decision will empower terrorist groups everywhere and goes against the fundamental regulations of justice.
Herzog strongly criticizes Hamas, stating that it is unacceptable to compare these reprehensible terrorists to the Israeli government, which was democratically elected.
Rephrased: Our top priority should be ensuring the safe return of our hostages. As members of the international community, we anticipate all free world leaders to strongly denounce this action and refuse to accept it. We make a vow to never overlook the plight of our hostages.
Amal Clooney Backs ICC Ruling, Reviewed Evidence
Today's statement has been warmly received by Amal Clooney, who played a crucial role in the ICC's ruling.
The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, reached out to the famous human rights lawyer, Clooney, over four months ago to assist in the evaluation of evidence.
Clooney, along with others who have a variety of personal backgrounds, all agreed that "the Palestinian nationals and crimes committed in Palestine fall under the jurisdiction of the Court."
Clooney declares that he, being a lawyer for human rights, cannot abide by the notion that any child's life is worth less than another's.
I believe that no disagreement should be exempt from legal consequences, and no wrongdoer should escape punishment. Therefore, I back the impactful move made by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to ensure justice for the victims of heinous acts committed in Israel and Palestine.
"Serious Accusations Spark Concern"
Many meticulous legal statements are combined to create a damaging set of accusations directed towards the top figures of Hamas and the prime minister and defence minister of Israel.
A group of decision-makers in the ICC will now evaluate whether to release the order for capturing. Countries that have agreed to the ICC rules would then be required to detain the individuals if an opportunity arises.
Russia, China, and the US are not among the 124 signatories, and Israel has also chosen not to sign. Nevertheless, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has confirmed that it has the power to hold perpetrators of criminal acts during the conflict accountable, since the Palestinians have signed the agreement.
The prosecutor from the International Criminal Court accuses the prime minister and defence minister of Israel of carrying out illegal acts like using starvation as a weapon of war, killing, wiping out entire populations, and deliberately attacking innocent civilians.
In the event that arrest warrants are put out, it could result in the leader of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, who has held the position of prime minister for the longest amount of time, not being able to travel to his Western allies without the possibility of being arrested.
With the exception of the United States, all other countries hold little significance for him.
Yoav Gallant, Israel's Defense Minister, also falls under the same category. His statement on the besiegement of Gaza was widely criticized by those who found Israel's actions unacceptable. Gallant declared a complete siege on Gaza two days after the Hamas attacks on October 7. He proclaimed that there would be no access to electricity, food or fuel - the entire area would be closed off from the outside world. He stated that Israel is fighting against a group of savage beings and their actions reflected accordingly.
In his official statement, Karim Khan, the prosecutor for the International Criminal Court and a highly esteemed lawyer from the United Kingdom known as a King's Counsel, alleges that Israel has deliberately and methodically denied the people living in Gaza access to fundamental necessities for survival.
Khan accuses Hamas of committing various types of war crimes, including acts of genocide, homicide, taking people captive unlawfully, sexual assault, and physical torment.
It is believed that Yahya Sinwar, who leads Hamas in Gaza, and Mohammed Deif, the commander of the Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, both face allegations. These two Hamas leaders are currently thought to be concealed in an unknown location inside Gaza according to the ICC.
Israel has been attempting to eliminate them for the past seven months, hence the issuance of an arrest warrant hardly contributes to their existing stresses. However, another Hamas official who has been issued a warrant is Ismail Haniyeh, the top figure at the Hamas political bureau.
Haniyeh journeys extensively throughout the area and engages in discussions with important Arab and Iranian officials. Qatar serves as Haniyeh's home-base, and similar to Israel, has declined to approve the Rome Statute that founded the ICC.
Mixed Response Of European Leaders
Now, we're going to present you with additional feedback on the declaration made by the ICC.
The Czech Republic's leader, Petr Fiala, has expressed strong discontent with prosecutor Karim Khan's decision, referring to it as outrageous and entirely intolerable.
X states that we should keep in mind that Hamas was responsible for launching an attack against Israel in October that resulted in the deaths, injuries, and abductions of numerous innocent individuals. This unprovoked terrorist act sparked the ongoing conflict in Gaza, causing civilians in Gaza, Israel, and Lebanon to endure immense suffering.
Belgium's Foreign Minister, Hadja Lahbib, has expressed her approval of the decision and emphasized the country's backing of the ICC.
The author believes that all crimes committed in Gaza must be punished to the fullest extent, regardless of who committed them. She thinks that the prosecutor, Karim Khan, has taken an important step by requesting arrest warrants for both Hamas and Israeli officials related to the investigation of the situation in Palestine.
Convincing Pre-trial Judges: Khan's New Challenge
Hello from The Hague! I'm sharing updates from the International Criminal Court's ongoing trial. The court is currently hearing evidence in a case against a former leader accused of committing crimes against humanity. In the courtroom, witnesses have been testifying and presenting evidence related to the case. The atmosphere is tense and emotional as survivors and family members of victims face their alleged perpetrator. Despite some delays and challenges, the trial is moving forward and justice is being pursued. It's important to remember the impact that these crimes have on individuals and communities, and the need for accountability. I'll continue to provide updates on this trial as it progresses.
In the blog post, it is mentioned that ICC prosecutor Karim Khan's attention is on the use of starvation as a tool in war and the intentional harm inflicted on non-combatants. This implies that he thinks that these issues hold the most convincing and provable evidence against Netanyahu and Gallant from the Israeli perspective.
Unsurprisingly, the three top-ranking officials of Hamas are being targeted for their alleged involvement in the October 7 assaults.
Khan has the task of persuading a group of judges prior to the trial that there is enough evidence to warrant pressing charges.
Khan's Statement Reveals Death, Starvation, And Suffering
Regarding Netanyahu and Gallant, Khan expresses his opinion:
'Khan Reveals More On 'unconscionable Crimes''
Below are additional quotes from Karim Khan, who serves as the prosecutor for the ICC. In this specific post, we will be discussing the Hamas officials, and in a later post, we will discuss the Israeli officials.
Khan comments on the individuals Sinwar, al-Masri, and Haniyeh.
What Is ICC And Its Jurisdiction?
Established in 2002, the International Criminal Court is a permanent court of global jurisdiction. It is empowered to investigate and charge individuals and leaders for acts of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.
The court can only handle offenses that transpired after 1 July 2002, which is when the Rome Statute that instituted the court became enforceable. It lacks the authority to look back on previous crimes.
The treaty has been approved by 124 nations, although Israel and the US have yet to endorse it.
The courtroom doesn't have its personal team of police officers to locate and detain suspects. It depends on the police departments of various countries to take into custody the offenders and carry them to The Hague.
In the year 2021, Karim Khan, a lawyer from Britain, took up the position of the leading prosecutor.
If you're interested in learning more about the responsibilities of the ICC, as well as the nations that have agreed to and approved its formation, feel free to click this link and delve deeper into the topic.
Hamas Official Slams ICC Ruling As Unjust
Previously, we shared with you how Israel responded to the action made by the ICC. Now, we are presenting to you the reaction coming from the Hamas perspective.
A top Hamas member, Sami Abu Zuhri, said to Reuters that requesting arrest orders for three of his colleagues was unfair since it puts them on the same level as the ones who suffered harm.
Additionally, he argues that this choice serves as a stimulus for Israel to carry on with what he deems as its "genocidal conflict."
We will provide further response as soon as it becomes available.
