Belgium welcomes ICC application for arrest warrants for Israeli, Hamas leaders

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) – The Belgian foreign minister on Monday welcomed the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor's request for arrest warrants against Israeli and Hamas leaders as an "important step," saying crimes committed in Gaza "must be prosecuted at the highest level."

"Crimes committed in Gaza must be prosecuted at the highest level, regardless of the perpetrators. The fight against impunity wherever crimes occur is a priority for Belgium," Hadja Lahbib said in a statement.

Early on Monday, Karim Khan, the ICC prosecutor, applied for arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and three Hamas leaders, including Ismail Haniyeh.

"The request submitted by the Court's prosecutor, Karim Khan, for arrest warrants against both Hamas and Israeli officials is an important step in the investigation of the situation in Palestine," Lahbib said.

In a statement, Karim Khan said he has reasonable ground to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant bear criminal responsibility for "war crimes and crimes against humanity” committed on Palestine territory, specifically on the Gaza Strip, from at least Oct. 8.

The prosecutor added that they have also applied for arrest warrants for three Hamas leaders, Ismail Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar, and Mohammed Deif, for "war crimes and crimes against humanity" committed in Israel and the Gaza Strip "from at least 7 October 2023."

Israel has killed more than 35,400 Palestinians in Gaza since an Oct. 7 cross-border incursion by Hamas that claimed 1,200 lives. The air and ground attacks have reduced the Palestinian enclave to rubble, leading to mass internal displacement and a shortage of basic necessities.

It also triggered a trial at the International Court of Justice, which in January ordered Tel Aviv to ensure its forces do not commit acts of genocide, and take measures to guarantee humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

On May 6, Israeli forces started the onslaught on Rafah, ignoring all regional and international warnings about its consequences for civilians who had taken refuge in the city.