France, Belgium, Germany Back ICC Arrest Warrants Request for Israel, Hamas Leaders

The European Union nations said that it would be up to the International Criminal Court to decide on the issuance of these warrants.

The courtroom of the International Criminal Court (ICC) building in The Hague, The Netherlands, on Nov. 23, 2015. Martijn Beekman/ANP/AFP via Getty Images

Three European Union nations—France, Belgium, and Germany—have voiced support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) after its chief prosecutor requested arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders over their alleged war crimes in Gaza.

ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan announced on May 20 his decision to pursue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, along with three Hamas leaders, alleging that they engaged in “war crimes and crimes against humanity” in Gaza and Israel.