ICC drops case against former Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh

The International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber has dismissed the case against Ismail Haniyeh, the former head of the political bureau of the Palestinian group Hamas, following his death.

The decision was made public in a document on the court's website, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan had previously sought an arrest warrant for Haniyeh, along with other Hamas leaders, but withdrew the request due to Haniyeh’s death. The Pre-Trial Chamber has consequently decided to discontinue the proceedings against him.

On May 20, 2024, Khan requested arrest warrants for three Hamas leaders: Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in an Israeli strike on his residence in Tehran; former Hamas military wing commander Mohammed al-Deif, who was also assassinated; and Yahya Sinwar, the current head of the Hamas politburo. Additionally, the prosecutor sought warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, who are accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to actions in the Gaza Strip since October 8, 2023.

Haniyeh’s death occurred following a major escalation in the conflict. On October 7, 2023, Hamas fighters launched a significant attack on southern Israel, killing and taking hostages and firing over 3,000 rockets. The assault resulted in at least 1,400 deaths, predominantly civilians, including many attendees of a music festival. This attack was the largest mass killing of Jews since the Holocaust.

In retaliation, Israel initiated Operation Iron Swords against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.