Khan's lawsuit against Hamas and Israeli leaders stems from the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people and took 252 hostages to the Gaza Strip.
Israel responded to the attack by launching a military operation to eliminate Hamas, during which at least 35,640 people were killed in the Gaza Strip, the Hamas-run health ministry said.
Prime Minister Khan accused Hamas leaders of committing crimes against humanity and war crimes, including massacres, murders, hostage-taking, rape and torture.
Accusations from Israeli leaders included deliberate attacks on civilians, the use of starvation as a weapon of war, extermination and murder.
“International law and the law of armed conflict apply to everyone,” Prime Minister Khan said. “No infantryman, no commander, no civilian leader, no one can act with impunity.”
Gallant said in a statement that Israeli forces were fighting in Gaza in accordance with international law, taking unprecedented steps to facilitate humanitarian aid.
“I support, support and commend our military as they carry out their special privilege and duty to protect our people and defend ourselves,” he said.
“ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan’s attempts to turn the situation around will not succeed,” he said, adding, “The parallels he draws between the Hamas terrorist organization and the State of Israel are despicable.”
Mr. Gallant reiterated that Israel is not a signatory to the ICC's founding treaty, the Rome Statute, and does not recognize its authority.
“Karim Khan’s attempt to deny the State of Israel the right to defend itself and secure the release of hostages held in Gaza must be categorically rejected.”
Prime Minister Khan did not immediately react to Netanyahu's remarks or statement calling the warrant application for him and Gallant a “moral outrage of historic proportions.”
Hamas, which Israel, the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries consider a terrorist organization, demands “all arrest warrants issued against Palestinian resistance leaders be canceled,” and Prime Minister Khan’s “… victim with executioner.” .”
The group also complained that warrant applications for Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant were made “seven months late” and that other Israeli political and military leaders were not named alongside them.
