蜜芽传媒

Karim Khan, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, has applied for arrest warrants against three leading figures in Hamas and two of the most senior ministers in Israel's government.

Mr Khan listed crimes for which he said Yahya Sinwar, who heads Hamas in the Gaza Strip, as well as the leaders of its political and military wings, were responsible.

The chief prosecutor also said Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant were responsible for crimes which require their arrest.

Israel's foreign minister has called the move a "historical disgrace" while a senior Hamas official is also critical, saying it "equates the victim with the executioner".

Newshour's Shaun Ley has been talking to Professor Ryan Goodman - Professor of Law聽at NYU School of Law

(picture: Benjamin Netanyahu and Yahya Sinwar; credit - Getty/EPA)

*The title and and synopsis of this page was amended on 20 May.