US President Joe Biden has dismissed claims that the Israeli government is perpetrating genocide in its conflict with Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. At a Jewish American Heritage Month celebration in the Rose Garden of the White House on Monday, Biden said, "Contrary to allegations against Israel made by the International Court of Justice, what is going on is genocide, not at all. We reject that."
On the same day, International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor Karim Khan sought arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Joav Galant, citing alleged crimes against humanity. These charges pertain to war crimes and crimes against humanity purportedly carried out in the Gaza Strip starting on October 8, following an unprecedented attack on Israel by Hamas militants.
Khan's office outlined accusations including "starvation of civilians as a method of warfare" and "intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population."
Additionally, arrest warrants were requested for Yehya al-Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, along with other members of the militant organization.
South Africa has repeatedly urged the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague to take action against Israel, accusing it of genocide. The UN judges have issued urgent rulings requiring Israel to take all necessary measures to prevent genocide and to permit humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
