THE HAGUE, Netherlands — (AP) — Dozens of countries, academics and rights groups have filed legal arguments either rejecting or supporting the International Criminal Court’s power to issue arrest warrants in its investigation into the war in Gaza and the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas in Israel.
The submissions filed this week come as a panel of judges considers a request by the court’s chief prosecutor for warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and the recently promoted leaders of Hamas.
The court’s prosecutor, Karim Khan, sought warrants in May, accusing Netanyahu, Gallant, and three Hamas leaders — Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh — of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip and Israel.
Both Haniyeh and Deif have since been killed. Sinwar, Hamas’ top official in Gaza who masterminded the Oct. 7 attacks, was subsequently named the group’s new leader.
Israel strongly rejects the court’s request for warrants for its leaders and insists it adheres …