France has expressed its support for the independence of the International Criminal Court, with its prosecutor seeking arrest warrants for leaders from Israel and Hamas, including Benjamin Netanyahu.
The French foreign ministry stated its support for the ICC's independence and its commitment to combating impunity in all cases. It also condemned the anti-Semitic massacres carried out by Hamas during an attack on Israel, emphasizing the need for strict compliance with international humanitarian law and addressing civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip.
The ICC's prosecutor, Karim Khan, applied for arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, citing crimes such as 'wilful killing', 'extermination and/or murder', and 'starvation' during the war in Gaza. Additionally, Khan held the leaders of Hamas accountable for actions committed during the attack on October 7.
Israel rebuffed the accusations, labeling them as a 'historical disgrace', while Hamas denounced the move. The United States also rejected the ICC's actions, with President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressing strong disapproval.
