Arrest warrants long overdue after months of 'relentless slaughter' in Gaza

Source: Christian Aid

The international development agency Christian Aid says arrest warrants for the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas's leader Yahya Sinwar are long overdue after months of "relentless slaughter" in Gaza.

The chief prosecutor wants the International Criminal Court (ICC) judges to approve the arrest warrants of the two men and other senior leaders in the Israeli government and Hamas for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Head of Middle East Policy and Advocacy at Christian Aid, William Bell, said: "The ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan has called out Israel and Hamas for their responsibility for eight months of brutal violence and disregard for human life.

"The prosecution case for action is in stark contrast to the inexcusable failure by Western powers to bring about a permanent ceasefire. Only that can stop the relentless slaughter of civilians to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza where people are dying and suffering every day.

"To avoid complicity, the UK Government cannot continue to provide arms to an Israeli government led by those for whom there are reasonable grounds to prosecute for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

"The ICC Prosecutor has seen through the thicket of self-justifying legal rhetoric intended to stop this case. Today's announcement is a clear sign that nobody is above the law and those responsible for crimes should be held accountable for their actions."

One of Christian Aid's partners, Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights, who provided advisory documentation to the ICC, said that today's announcement "is vital affirmation that the law must not stay silent amidst the perpetration of unspeakable horrors."