Netanyahu fears ICC arrest prior to US visit
Israeli media reported on June 26th that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fears that the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan could issue his coveted arrest warrant for him before his planned visit to the United States on July 24th, The New Arab and agencies reported.
The arrest warrants — sought also for Netanyahu’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant — are expected within the next few weeks. Khan said he would ground the warrants on the individuals “causing extermination, causing starvation as a method of war including the denial of humanitarian relief supplies, [and] deliberately targeting civilians in conflict.”
READ: Gaza: Full ceasefire not an option for Netanyahu
Israel’s imposed “total siege” on the Strip has killed over 37,700 Palestinians — most of them being women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. A UN report released on June 25th also revealed that one in five Gazans suffer from acute food insecurity.
Khan also seeks arrest warrants for Hamas leaders, as well, including Ismail Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Al-Deif for their involvement in the October 7th attack on Israel.
The US is not a signatory to the Rome Treaty — which established the ICC and provided Israel with diplomatic and military cover throughout the Gaza war. The country has also been critical of the ICC’s potential arrest. According to Israeli Channel 12, Netanyahu’s planned visit faces risk, as he could face arrest in a third country if his plane makes an emergency landing.
The New Arab and agencies
