ICC prosecutor Karim Khan replies to the backlash from Israel/its allies after its issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli leaders. The International Criminal Court issued a statement stating that they were to arrest Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant of Israel, as well as the top Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh, and Mohamed Deif. The ICC charged them with various crimes, including targeted civilian killing and hostage keeping. All under the phenomenon of unlawful warfare.
This arrest warrant aligns Netanyahu with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who faced an ICC arrest warrant for actions in Ukraine, and Moammar Gadhafi, the Libyan leader who faced similar charges before his death. Additionally, It is the first time that the leader of a close US ally has been issued a warrant for. Since the Court of justice issued warrants for Hamas leaders and the ministers of Israel, further contentions arise. The plausible comparison of an alleged terrorist group with an elected government gives the grounds to question this decision. Karim Khan has actively responded to these objections. In clarifying his rationale he stated, “..Israel has every right to protect its population and to get the hostages back.But nobody has a licence to commit war crimes or crimes against humanity. The means define us.”
The prosecutor deliberated on the variety of problematic tactics used by Israel. He pointed out the starvation crisis going on in Gaza and the blockade of clean water supply. The killing of aid workers and aid agencies. The charges against Netanyahu and Gallant are “causing extermination, causing starvation as a method of war, including the denial of humanitarian relief supplies, deliberately targeting civilians in conflict.” Khan asserted, “This is not how war is supposed to be waged.”
Netanyahu remains persistent with adverse actions
Israeli forces have bombed a tent camp housing in the “safe zone” of Rafah. This continuous bombing in the past 48hours has resulted in death of over 45 Palestinians. This mostly includes women and children. Particular social media footage of a beheaded baby has gone viral, reigniting the social media outrage. The large fires from these uninterrupted air strikes have caused huge fires in this small parameter of area. This attack on the Rafah tent has triggered an international outcry, leading to calls for a ceasefire.
