Urgent Call for Arrest of Israeli PM Highlights ICC's Jurisdiction Debate

The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor has urged judges to urgently rule on arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others linked to the Israel-Hamas war. The prosecutor, Karim Khan, asserts the court has jurisdiction despite Israel not being a member and challenges related to the 1993 Oslo Accords.

The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor urgently called on judges Friday to rule on arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other figures connected to the Israel-Hamas conflict, asserting the court's jurisdiction.

Prosecutor Karim Khan emphasized in a 49-page document that jurisdiction is settled law, urging pretrial judges to quickly decide on his May requests for warrants. These warrants target Netanyahu, his defense minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders, two of whom are deceased.

Khan's filing is a response to numerous legal arguments both supporting and challenging the ICC's authority. He argues against the claim that the 1993 Oslo Accords nullify the court's jurisdiction, calling such arguments meritless and inconsistent with international law.

(With inputs from agencies.)