ICC

"The have specifically targeted girls and women by reason of their gender, depriving them of fundamental rights and freedoms," the ICC said.

The incident was the second of its type against the ICC in recent years, it said in a statement.

Washington designated Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza of Peru, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou of Benin, and Beti Hohler of Slovenia.

For the time being, the ICC Prosecution and Israel have their hands full with fighting another round over whether the ICC has jurisdiction over Israelis.

“A partial deal is the wrong thing to do,” he said. “My stance on deals is very well known. We can bring them to their knees and cut off their oxygen.”

Khan reportedly prepared to seek these warrants before he went on leave as the UN investigates sexual assault allegations made against him.

Hungary's parliament approved a bill on Tuesday that will start the country's year-long withdrawal process from the International Criminal Court.

Deputy ICC Prosecutors Mame Mandiaye Niang and Nazhat Shameem Khan are due to run the office during his absence, said the Assembly.

In a letter sent to his staff and seen by Reuters, the prosecutor said that he had been keeping his position under constant review. "I have made the considered decision to take leave, he said.

Shortly after being confronted by ICC staff about the sexual assault complaint, he canceled his planned visit to Israel and announced the warrants.