The International Criminal Court prosecutor warned on Friday against unspecified threats and intimidation, amid reports that Israel is concerned the tribunal could issue arrest warrants over the war in Gaza.
The Hague-based ICC did not say if the comment related to its investigation into possible war crimes by Israel or Palestinian groups in Gaza and the West Bank.
The office of ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan said on X, formerly Twitter, that it was aware of “significant public interest” in its activities and said it sought to “engage constructively with all stakeholders.”
But it added that the court’s “independence and impartiality are undermined, however, when individuals threaten to retaliate against the court or against court personnel.
“Such threats, even not acted upon, may constitute an offence” against the ICC’s “administration of justice”, it warned, calling for an end to such activity.
Khan’s office declined to say where the threats had come from and which investigation was concerned, when questioned by AFP.
US and Israeli media reports have suggested the ICC prosecutor could issue warrants against both Israeli politicians — including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — and Hamas leaders.
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