ALBAWABA - The International Criminal Court (ICC) has announced the dismissal of its case against Ismail Haniyeh, the former head of Hamas's political bureau, due to his death in Tehran on July 31.
The decision was made following a request from ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, who had previously sought arrest warrants for Haniyeh, along with other senior Hamas officials, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
According to the ICC, Khan withdrew his request for an arrest warrant for Haniyeh on August 2, following the confirmation of Haniyeh's death. As a result, the court has concluded its proceedings against him.
The ICC is still reviewing Khan's request for arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant. Both are accused of "war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza," including allegations of deliberately targeting civilians and causing widespread suffering.
Haniyeh was killed on July 31 while staying in Tehran, shortly after attending the inauguration of Iranian President Massoud Bezhkishan. His death came shortly after the assassination of Hezbollah leader Fouad Chouk in an airstrike on Beirut.
Iranian authorities have claimed that Haniyeh's assassination was orchestrated by Israel with support from the U.S., using a short-range missile with a 7-kilogram warhead, resulting in a significant explosion.
The killing of Haniyeh has intensified tensions in the Middle East, with Iran and Hezbollah vowing to retaliate.
