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Israel submits legal challenge to ICC warrants, arguing it should investigate itself

In two legal briefs filed on Friday, Israel says it is challenging both the legality of the International Criminal Court’s request for arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as the court's jurisdiction. 

In May, the court’s prosecutor, Karim Khan, announced he is seeking arrest warrants for the two Israeli officials as well as three members of Hamas leadership: Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh. 

Haniyeh has since been assassinated in Iran in an operation that Israel has not confirmed or denied, and the ICC has ended its court proceedings against him. And while Israel says it has killed Deif, Hamas has yet to confirm his demise. The ICC is seeking confirmation on the death to end their court proceedings.

Khan’s request for the warrants is based on what he believes are war crimes and crimes against humanity perpetrated from 7 Oct 2023 onwards, after the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel and the subsequent war on Gaza. 

Read more: Israel submits legal challenge to ICC warrants, arguing it should investigate itself