The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence secretary Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Warrant Details and Allegations
The warrants come in connection with Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which followed the 7 October attacks by Hamas. The ICC claims that both Netanyahu and Gallant bear responsibility for crimes such as the use of starvation as a method of warfare, and crimes against humanity including murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts.
In response, Israel’s prime minister’s office condemned the ICC’s actions, calling the warrants “anti-semitic” and describing them as “absurd and false.”
Hamas Leader Also Targeted
An arrest warrant was also issued for Hamas leader Mohammed Deif (also known as Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al Masri), who is accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity for masterminding the 7 October attacks. It is unclear whether Deif is alive following an Israeli airstrike earlier this year, which Israel claimed had killed him.
Israel and the ICC
Neither Israel nor the United States are members of the ICC, and Israel has consistently rejected the court’s jurisdiction. Israel has also denied committing war crimes during its military actions in Gaza.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett criticised the ICC’s decision, calling it a “mark of shame” for the court.
Legal Proceedings and UK Response
The ICC initially announced its intention to seek arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant, and Deif in May. After rejecting challenges from Israel, the court issued the warrants. The UK’s Labour government, which took office earlier this year, stated it would not oppose the ICC’s right to issue such warrants.
