Amal Clooney helped ICC seek arrest warrants for Israeli, Hamas leaders

An evidence review into the Gaza war by prominent human rights lawyer Amal Clooney,known for her extensive work in international law and her marriage to actor George Clooney, led to theInternational Criminal Court (ICC) seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his defence chief Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders due to alleged war crimes.

The ICC prosecutor Karim Khan, while filing arrest warrantsapplications,announced on Monday (May 20) that he has "reasonable grounds to believe" that these Israel and Hamas leaders "bear criminal responsibility for the following war crimes and crimes against humanity" committedin the Gaza strip from at least 8 October 2023.

Amal Clooney served as a special adviser in this high-profile case.

ICC’s chief prosecutor Khan praised Clooney and a panel of international law experts for their contributions in evaluating evidence related to war crimes.

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“The panel is composed of experts of immense standing in international humanitarian law and international criminal law,” Khan reportedly stated.

In a statement from her Clooney Foundation for Justice, Amal Clooney explained her involvement.

“More than four months ago, the prosecutor of the international criminal court asked me to assist him with evaluating evidence of suspected war crimes and crimes against humanity in Israel and Gaza. I agreed and joined a panel of international legal experts to undertake this task. Together we have engaged in an extensive process of evidence review and legal analysis including at the international criminal court in The Hague,” she said.

The panel concluded that Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammad Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh have committed war crimes, including "hostage-taking, murder, and crimes of sexual violence".

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Similarly, they determined that Netanyahu and Gallant have committed war crimes, including "starvation as a method of warfare, murder, persecution, and extermination".

Opposition from Biden, Netanyahu

This legal action by ICC has met opposition from the United States and Israel, with both countries contesting the ICC's jurisdiction.

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Prime Minister Netanyahu dismissed the ICC decision as absurd, asserting, “I reject with disgust the comparison of the prosecutor in the Hague between democratic Israel and the mass murderers of Hamas.”

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden also defended Israel, stating, "Let me be clear: Whatever this prosecutor might imply, there is no equivalence — none — between Israel and Hamas."

(With inputs from agencies)