The supreme leader of Iran, known for his backing of Hamas and Hezbollah in their ongoing conflicts with Israel in Gaza and Lebanon, declared on Monday that Israeli leaders ought to receive death sentences instead of arrest warrants.
In a recent statement, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responded to the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue arrest warrants on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense chief, and Hamas leader Ibrahim Al-Masri.
“An arrest warrant has been issued; however, this action may not be enough on its own…” Khamenei has demanded that a death sentence be imposed on the leaders of Israel, characterizing them as criminal figures.
The ICC judges have determined that there are reasonable grounds to suspect that Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant may hold criminal responsibility for actions including murder, persecution, and the use of starvation as a weapon of war. These acts have been characterized as part of a “widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population of Gaza.”
The decision ignited considerable controversy in Israel, being characterized as both disgraceful and ludicrous. Residents of Gaza expressed hope that this recent development might play a role in bringing an end to the persistent violence and ensuring accountability for those implicated in war crimes.
Israel has dismissed the authority of the court located in The Hague and refutes allegations of war crimes in Gaza.
A warrant has been issued for Hamas leader Ibrahim Al-Masri, citing charges of mass killings linked to the attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. These attacks have since escalated into a war affecting the long-blockaded Palestinian enclave. Additionally, the warrant includes allegations of rape and hostage-taking.
