'WAR CRIMES...ON BOTH SIDES

Israel's defence minister & Hamas chiefs also wanted | Biden slams 'outrageous legal bid over Israeli leaders

- CHRIS HUGHES

WAR crimes arrest warrants for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and three Hamas leaders are being sought by the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.

Karim Khan is demanding the seizure of Hamas chiefs Yehya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh.

He said Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant is also wanted for arrest.

In a stinging announcement, Mr Khan said he believes all of the men are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity since Hamas's atrocity against Israel on October 7.

Mr Khan said Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant were suspected of crimes including starvation of civilians as a method of warfare, murder and directing attacks against civilians.

ICC judges will decide whether there is sufficient evidence to issue arrest warrants, which could take up to two months.

The ICC, based in the Hague, has no to power enforce arrest warrants in Israel as it is not a member of the court. But the threat of arrest could make it difficult for Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant to travel abroad. And the move deepens Israel's isolation as it vowed to press ahead with operations against Hamas in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

The Israel PM called Mr Khan's announcement yesterday a disgrace and an attack on Israel and its military.