THE HAGUE, May 22, 2025 (WAFA) – The Office of the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has opposed Israel's request to withdraw arrest warrants issued for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, arguing there is "no legal basis" for doing so and urging judges to proceed with the investigation into alleged crimes committed in Gaza.

In a ten-page legal submission posted on its website on Wednesday, prosecutor Karim Khan responded to Israel's filing earlier this month. Israel has asked the court, or the Pre-Trial Chamber I, to withdraw the warrants and suspend the ICC's investigation until a ruling is made on Israel's challenge to the court's jurisdiction.

The prosecutor emphasized that "there is no basis to withdraw or vacate the warrants," asserting that the court had already determined that Netanyahu and Gallant's alleged actions fall within the court's jurisdiction. The ICC previously found "reasonable grounds to believe" the two officials bear responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza between Oct. 8, 2023, and May 20, 2024.

Israel's jurisdictional challenge had been dismissed in November 2024, but the Appeals Chamber reversed that decision in April 2025, citing insufficient reasoning. However, the prosecutor clarified that this reversal "has no bearing on the warrants."

In conclusion, the prosecutor asked the judges to deny Israel's request to withdraw or vacate the arrest warrants, and "reject Israel's request for a suspension of the investigation into the situation in Palestine."

In November 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant for "crimes against humanity and war crimes." In February 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on the international body, including financial penalties and visa restrictions, blaming the court of being "engaged in illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel."

M.N