International Criminal Court says it has been the target of threats

The ICC on Friday issued a warning to “those threatening reprisals” – him or his staff – saying such actions could constitute a “subversion of justice.” In a statement published on X, Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan’s headquarters in The Hague said it seeks to “engage constructively with all stakeholders whenever the dialogue is consistent with its mandate.”

“However, this independence and impartiality is undermined when individuals threaten to take reprisal measures against the Court or the Court’s staff” in the event of “decisions” on investigations falling under its mandate, it adds. “Such threats, even if not carried out, could constitute an attack on the administration of justice by the ICC,” he warns.

The ICC calls for an “immediate” end to “attempts to obstruct, intimidate or exert undue influence over its officials.” Karim Khan’s services did not want to clarify to AFP who these threats came from and whether they were related to Israel and the war in Gaza. In 2021, the ICC began investigating Israel, as well as Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups, for possible war crimes in the Palestinian territories. It has now extended to “the escalation of hostilities and violence following the terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023” carried out by Hamas on Israeli soil.

Israeli officials told the New York Times that they expect the ICC to issue arrest warrants for members of the Israeli government, which could include Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in connection with Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip in response to the Hamas attack.

Disputes on the Israeli side

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said on Wednesday that the possible indictment of Israeli officials by the ICC would pose a “danger to democracies.” Benjamin Netanyahu considered that the possible issuance of such arrest warrants would be aimed at “threatening Israeli leaders and soldiers, essentially paralyzing Israel’s ability to defend itself.”

The Oct. 7 attack killed 1,170 people, according to AFP, based on Israeli official data. The large-scale offensive carried out in response by Israel in the Gaza Strip has killed 34,622 people, mostly civilians, according to the latest Hamas Health Ministry report.