The International Criminal Court (ICC) is poised to make a decision that could send shockwaves through the Middle East and beyond. According to a report by Israel's Channel 14 News, the ICC is expected to approve Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan's request for arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant within the next fortnight.
This development comes at a time of shifting political landscapes. Israel had reportedly been banking on support from Britain's former Conservative government to challenge the ICC's jurisdiction over Gaza and Israel. However, with Labour now at the helm in the UK, the situation has become more complex. The Guardian reports that Labour Party officials have indicated acceptance of the ICC's jurisdiction in this case, potentially altering the diplomatic calculus.
Khan's investigation casts a wide net. In a CNN interview, he outlined charges against Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh, and Mohammed Deif that include "extermination, murder, taking of hostages, rape, and sexual assault in detention." For Israeli officials, the alleged crimes are no less serious, encompassing "causing extermination, causing starvation as a method of war, including the denial of humanitarian relief supplies, and deliberately targeting civilians in conflict."
The prosecutor's claims, particularly regarding the use of starvation as a weapon, have drawn scrutiny. Recent findings by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) in late June have called into question earlier reports of famine in Gaza, which formed part of the basis for Khan's allegations.
In Israel, the announcement has been met with fierce criticism. Many view it as an unjust equating of Israeli leaders with Hamas terrorists, and a disregard for Israel's established judicial system. Moreover, questions linger about the ICC's jurisdiction over Israel, a point of contention echoed by both the U.S. and Britain.
Interestingly, Khan recently canceled a fact-finding mission to Israel—a crucial step in gathering evidence—on the same day he announced his intent to seek the warrants.
* Jewish Breaking News contributed to this article.