ICC replaces judge reviewing request for arrest warrant for Netanyahu

(Patria) - The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced on Friday that it will replace one of the judges who will decide on the prosecutor's request to issue an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for health reasons, which could cause further delays in the case.

In May, prosecutors sought warrants for Netanyahu and his Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as for three Hamas leaders, saying there were reasonable grounds that these individuals committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, Reuters reported.

The President of the ICC stated that the presiding judge in the case, Romanian judge Iulia Motoc, requested on Friday to be removed for health reasons and was immediately replaced by Slovenian International Criminal Court judge Beti Hohler.

The replacement is expected to further delay the decision on possible warrants in the case dealing with the conflict in Gaza, as the new judge will need time to familiarize themselves with the case file.