ICC Confirms Israel Requests Disqualification of Prosecutor Over Gaza Warrants

ICC Confirms Israel Requests Disqualification of Prosecutor Over Gaza Warrants
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The International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmed on Wednesday that Israel has formally requested the disqualification of its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, and the annulment of arrest warrants issued against senior Israeli officials in relation to alleged war crimes in Gaza.

According to Al Arabiya English, Israel accused Khan of pursuing the warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to “divert public attention” from allegations of sexual misconduct. Khan, who is on leave pending an investigation into these accusations—which he denies—was described by Israel as having “improper personal motives” in seeking the warrants. The Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman, Oren Marmorstein, stated that the requests aimed to advance “false and unfounded allegations” against Israel while deflecting scrutiny from the prosecutor’s own alleged misconduct.

The ICC, based in The Hague, confirmed receipt of a “Request to Disqualify the Prosecutor and for Ancillary Remedies” but provided no further details. Last year, Khan had requested arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant, and three senior Hamas officials. Despite Israel’s appeal, the warrants against the Israeli officials were granted and remain active. The court is also reviewing Israel’s broader challenge to its jurisdiction over the Gaza conflict.