The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague has just issued arrest warrants against three important figures from Israel and Hamas.
According to the NOS, the ICC intends to prosecute Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Gallant and Hamas leader Al-Masri.
War crimes and crimes against humanity
The two Israeli political figures are to be prosecuted for war crimes and crimes against humanity for their actions in Gaza.
The ICC prosecutor has accused them of acts including the starvation and persecution of Gaza’s civilian population, with a particular focus on the impact on children.
This created conditions “intended to destroy, in part, the civilian population of Gaza”, which is one of the parameters by which the court identifies genocides.
Surviving Hamas leader
The other arrest warrant was issued against Hamas leader Al-Masri, also known as Deif.
He is to be prosecuted for crimes against humanity, in his case, for his actions on October 7, 2023, specifically the murder, rape, torture and kidnappings that occurred on that day.
The ICC intended to issue more arrest warrants against Hamas leaders, but many of them have already been killed.
Limited consequences
While the warrants might seem like a significant step, they will most likely have little consequence.
The countries of the individuals against whom the warrants were issued would have to arrest them and surrender them to the ICC, which is unlikely to happen.
Moreover, Israel is not an ICC signatory, meaning that the ICC doesn’t have jurisdiction over its territory at all.
That being said, Dutch Foreign Minister Veldkamp stated in the House of Representatives that Netanyahu will be arrested if he sets foot on Dutch soil.
As the NOS writes, the Netherlands will also no longer make non-essential contacts with Netanyahu.
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