Hamas, the Palestinian Authority (PA), and Turkey expressed approval of the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) recent issuance of arrest warrants for Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of committing war crimes in Gaza.
Basem Naim, a member of Hamas’s politburo, called the ICC’s move “an important step toward justice and can lead to redress for the victims in general, but it remains limited and symbolic if it is not supported by all means by all countries around the world.”
Naim refrained from addressing the separate ICC warrant issued on the same day for Muhammad Deif, Hamas’s late military chief. In August, Israel announced that Deif had been killed during an airstrike on Khan Younis. While Hamas has not confirmed his death, the ICC also stated it was unable to verify his fate.
Responding to the ICC warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant, Hamas urged the court to broaden its actions and pursue all Israeli leaders, officials, and military personnel connected to the conflict. The group also called on nations globally to assist the ICC in ensuring that Netanyahu and Gallant face justice.
Hamas accused the United States of “attempting to obstruct the proceedings for months by intimidating the court and its judges.” While some U.S. lawmakers had previously warned of possible sanctions against ICC officials if such warrants were issued, the White House refrained from issuing explicit threats.
Turkey, currently hosting Hamas leaders after their expulsion from Qatar, also applauded the ICC’s actions as a pivotal development.
“This decision is an extremely important step in bringing to justice the Israeli authorities who committed genocide against Palestinians,” Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan wrote on X.
As a member state of the ICC, Turkey has been outspoken in its criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza. It has also severed its strong trade relationship with Israel in protest of the ongoing conflict.
The Palestinian Authority, headquartered in Ramallah and led by Fatah—Hamas’s political rival—also commended the ICC’s decision.
“The ICC’s decision restores hope and trust not only in international law along with UN institutions, but also in the importance of justice, accountability and prosecution of war criminals, particularly at a time when the Palestinian people are still subject to genocide,” the PA stated through its official news outlet, WAFA.
The PA further called on member states of the ICC and the United Nations to sever ties with Netanyahu and Gallant and to “implement the court’s decision and prosecute criminals before courts,” according to WAFA.
{Matzav.com}
