At the same time, the international criminal court issued a warrant against the leader of the armed wing of Hamas.
This Thursday, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and the head of Hamas's armed wing Mohammed Deif.
“The Chamber issued arrest warrants against two individuals, Mr. Benyamin Netanyahu and Mr. Yoav Gallant, for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed at least from October 8, 2023 until May 20, 2024. less, day on which the prosecution filed the requests for arrest warrants”the ICC, which sits in The Hague, said in a statement, adding in another statement that a warrant was also issued against Mohammed Deif.
Warrants classified as “secret”
The arrest warrants have been filed «secrets»in order to protect witnesses and ensure the conduct of investigations, the court said. But “the chamber considers that it is in the interest of the victims and their families that they be informed of the existence of the warrants”she explained. ICC prosecutor Karim Khan in May asked the court to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant (who was fired in early November by the Israeli prime minister) for war crimes and crimes against humanity suspected in Gaza.
He also requested arrest warrants for senior Hamas leaders, including Mohammed Deif, on suspicion of war crimes and crimes against humanity. According to Israel, Deif was killed in a July 13 strike in southern Gaza, although Hamas denies his death.
