The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, ICC, Karim Khan, has applied for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and his Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant.

Khan also sought the arrest and prosecution of Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, the group’s political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, and the Hamas military chief, Mohammed Deif.

Speaking yesterday, Khan said his office had applied to ICC’s pre-trial chamber for arrest warrants for crimes committed during Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza.

In a statement he issued, Khan said: “These acts demand accountability. On the basis of evidence collected and examined by my office, I have reasonable grounds to believe that Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, and Yoav Gallant, the Minister of Defence of Israel, bear criminal responsibility for the following war crimes and crimes against humanity committed on the territory of the State of Palestine (in the Gaza strip) from at least 8 October 2023:

“Starvation of civilians as a method of warfare is a war crime contrary to article 8(2)(b)(xxv) of the Statute. Wilfully causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or health contrary to article 8(2)(a)(iii), or cruel treatment is a war crime contrary to article 8(2)(c)(i).

“Wilful killing contrary to article 8(2)(a)(i), or murder is a war crime contrary to article 8(2)(c)(i). Intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population as a war crime contrary to articles 8(2)(b)(i), or 8(2)(e)(i).”