Hamas Backs ICC and Urges Countries to Protect It From US Sanctions
Hamas has called for practical international support for the ICC, accusing Washington of protecting Benjamin Netanyahu from prosecution.
Hamas urged countries on 9 October 2026 to protect the International Criminal Court's judges, employees and operations after the United States imposed sanctions on the institution itself. The terrorist group accused Washington of shielding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders from accountability over Gaza.
A call for protection beyond condemnation
In its statement, reproduced by the Palestinian Information Center, Hamas called the sanctions a “dangerous assault” on international justice. It directed its appeal particularly at countries belonging to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the court, asking them to reject the measures and provide practical support.
The appeal went beyond a demand for diplomatic criticism. Hamas asked governments to safeguard court personnel and keep its work running, framing that support as an obligation under the treaty. Its accusations against Israeli leaders remain the group's position, rather than findings established by this statement.
Hamas also attacked Netanyahu's welcome for the sanctions, arguing that it reflected an effort to avoid prosecution. Netanyahu took the opposite position, praising President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio and describing the ICC as a political body threatening national sovereignty.
Washington targets the institution
The new US designation expands the sanctions campaign from individual officials to the court itself. Treasury records confirm the action under Executive Order 14203, while accompanying licences permit specified transactions, including temporary maintenance of operations, despite the designation.
General License 13 authorizes covered maintenance and wind down activity until 7 April 2027. That exception means the announcement does not require every existing service to stop immediately, although Washington has made its intention to constrain the court explicit.
Rubio said the US campaign would continue until Americans were no longer threatened by the institution. The administration disputes the ICC's authority over citizens of countries that have not joined it, including the United States and Israel.
A court that also pursued Hamas leaders
Hamas terrorists led the 7 October 2023 massacre in Israel, killing about 1,200 people and abducting 251. The ICC issued warrants for Netanyahu, former defence minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas commander Mohammed Deif on 21 November 2024; proceedings against Deif ended after his death was confirmed, while earlier applications concerning Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar were withdrawn following their deaths.
The ICC rejected the new sanctions and said it would continue its work independently on the basis of law and evidence. It called for support from member states to preserve its ability to operate, setting up a direct dispute with Washington over the institution's future.
