ICC Prosecutor Seeks Confidential Arrest Warrants for Senior Israeli Officials
On May 19, 2026, the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor reportedly applied for secret arrest warrants against high-ranking Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, citing alleged war crimes in Gaza. In a retaliatory measure, Minister Smotrich announced he had ordered the immediate evacuation of the Palestinian village of Khan al-Ahmar in the West Bank, declaring a 'war' against the Palestinian Authority for its support of international legal actions.
Date: May 19, 2026
Location: Israel
Conflict: Israel-Hamas War
Category: diplomacy
Severity: CRITICAL
Source: The Jerusalem Post