U.S. sanctions four ICC officials over Israel investigation

The Trump administration on Wednesday sanctioned two judges and two prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC), maintaining its pressure on the tribunal for targeting Israeli officials.

The sanctions follow ICC arrest warrants issued last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former defence chief Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader Ibrahim al-Masri over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Guillou presided over the pre-trial panel for Netanyahu’s warrant, while Khan and Niang serve as deputy prosecutors.

This action comes less than three months after the U.S. imposed sanctions on four other ICC judges, citing the court’s “illegitimate and baseless actions” against the U.S. and Israel.

The ICC, which criticised the previous sanctions as an attempt to undermine judicial independence, did not immediately comment.

The sanctions freeze any U.S. assets of the individuals and restrict their access to the American financial system.

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