ICC prosecutor urges judges to urgently rule on warrants for Israeli, Hamas officials

Khan stressed that the court had jurisdiction over Israeli nationals who commit atrocity crimes in the Palestinian territories and asked the judges to dismiss legal challenges filed by several dozen governments and other parties.
The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court stressed the court had jurisdiction to investigate Israeli nationals and asked judges to urgently decide on arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defence minister Yoav Gallant.
In court filings made public Friday, prosecutor Karim Khan urged judges weighing the arrest warrants sought against Israeli officials and Hamas leaders to not delay.
More To Read
- UN and Palestinians accuse Israel of blocking Gaza aid at World Court hearings
- Israeli missiles hit Gaza hospital compound, prompting overnight evacuation
- Israeli military changes initial account of Gaza aid worker killings
- Hamas to release American hostage in Gaza, ready for second-phase ceasefire talks
- US holds secret talks with Hamas on Gaza hostages, sources say
- Hamas says willing to move ahead with Gaza ceasefire despite ‘language of threats and intimidation’
"Any unjustified delay in these proceedings detrimentally affects the rights of victims," he said.
Khan stressed that the court had jurisdiction over Israeli nationals who commit atrocity crimes in the Palestinian territories and asked the judges to dismiss legal challenges filed by several dozen governments and other parties.
"It is settled law that the court has jurisdiction in this situation," the filing said, dismissing legal arguments based on provisions in the Oslo Accords and assertions by Israel that it is carrying out its own investigations into alleged war crimes.
ICC prosecutors say there are reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu and Gallant, as well as Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, military chief Mohammed Al-Masri, and another Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, bear criminal responsibility for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Haniyeh was assassinated in Iran in late July. The court has since declined to comment on reports of his death. Israel has said it killed Al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif, in another airstrike but Hamas would neither confirm nor deny that news.
Israel and Palestinian leaders have dismissed allegations of war crimes, and representatives for both sides have criticised Khan's decision to seek warrants.
There is no deadline for judges to decide on warrants.
Top Stories Today
- Kenya, UAE seal new deals to boost trade, security ties
- From parties to polls: Ruto taps registrar Nderitu for IEBC role
- Ndemo declines UoN VC appointment over procedural concerns
- Pope Leo XIV hints at a papacy of peace and purpose
- Who is Robert Prevost, the new pope?
- Cardinal Robert Prevost elected as Pope Leo XIV
- Who is Erastus Edung Ethekon? Ruto’s nominee for IEBC Chairperson
- Over 5,000 number plates ready for collection - NTSA
- Kasipul MP Were murder case: Suspects to their know fate on Friday
- Concerns raised over DPP's handling of Baby Pendo's murder case
- Explainer: Who are the striking UHC workers, and why are they protesting?
- White smoke appears from chimney of Sistine Chapel, signals new pope elected
- Ruto nominates Erastus Ethekon as IEBC chairperson
- HELB streamlines loan repayments for both local and overseas borrowers
- Kasipul MP’s bodyguard, driver spoke and held meetings with suspects before murder
- More Kenyans disappeared during anti-riot operations than during anti-terror operations
- DCI arrests 28 suspects, recovers 22 stolen vehicles across 11 counties
- Security, polls dominate Somalia's National Consultative Council meeting
- Were murder probe: Detectives trace suspicious call to MP's bodyguard
- "Joel touched many lives," Family, friends pay tribute to MCA Munuve