Israeli minister orders West Bank hamlet evicted after hearing he may face arrest warrant overseas

Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has ordered the immediate eviction of the Palestinian village of Khan al-Ahmar in the West Bank. Smotrich stated this decision is a response to reports that he may be targeted by international war crimes prosecutors, although it is unclear if the International Criminal Court is considering an arrest warrant for him. The village, home to nearly 200 Palestinians, has been a long-standing target of Israeli authorities, with Israel citing illegal construction while critics argue it's a move to clear land for settlements. Peace Now described the eviction as revenge and part of a broader plan to control the West Bank. The order reportedly requires approval from Israel's security cabinet, and demolition of structures could occur within weeks.

Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich claims the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor has sought a confidential arrest warrant against him. In response, Smotrich stated he ordered the evacuation of the Palestinian Bedouin village of Khan al-Ahmar in the Israeli-occupied West Bank as a retaliatory measure against the Palestinian Authority. Smotrich described the ICC as "antisemitic" and vowed to wage a "war" on the Palestinian Authority, which he accused of initiating conflict. The ICC prosecutor's office declined to comment on the confidential process. Israel is not a member of the ICC, but Palestinian territories are, allowing the court to investigate potential war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank.

Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated on Tuesday that he was informed the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague has requested an arrest warrant for him. Smotrich is reportedly the third Israeli official targeted by the ICC, following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, for alleged war crimes in Gaza. Smotrich characterized the potential warrants as a "declaration of war" and vowed retaliation. He also announced plans to sign an order to evacuate the Palestinian community of Khan al-Ahmar in the occupied West Bank. The ICC previously issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant in November 2024 for "crimes against humanity and war crimes" in Gaza, and also for several Hamas leaders.