ICC Investigating War Crimes in Gaza: Israel Warns of Antisemitism Risk as Arrest Warrants for Officials Loom
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is investigating potential war crimes committed during Israel's conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
Reports suggest that the ICC may issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli government and military officials.
In response, Israel's Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, has warned Israeli embassies to increase security due to potential antisemitism.
Katz also urged the ICC to refrain from issuing arrest warrants against Israeli officials.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel vowed to continue actions despite potential ICC (International Criminal Court) decisions that could result in arrest warrants for Netanyahu and other Israeli officials for alleged violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza.
The ICC is also considering warrants for Hamas leaders.
The ICC and Hamas did not respond to requests for comment.
Israel is not a member of the ICC and does not recognize its jurisdiction, but the Palestinian territories are.
In October, ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan stated that the court had jurisdiction over potential war crimes committed by Hamas fighters in Israel and Israeli forces in Gaza.
Hamas led an attack on Israeli military bases and communities on Oct. 7, resulting in the deaths of over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the taking of 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
In response, Israel launched a military offensive that has killed over 34,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza authorities, and devastated the small coastal territory.
The majority of fatalities have been civilians, but Israel claims that at least a third were combatants.
Hamas dismisses this, and Khan's team is investigating any crimes committed during the conflict, with those responsible being held accountable.
The text discusses the displacement of over 2.3 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip due to Israel's military campaign, leading to a humanitarian crisis.
The case against Israel at the International Criminal Court (ICC) is distinct from a genocide case initiated at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), both located in The Hague.
The ICJ is a UN court handling disputes between states, while the ICC is a treaty-based criminal court focusing on individual criminal responsibility for war crimes.