ICC issues arrest warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader Mohammed Deif. The warrants relate to alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with the Gaza conflict and the October 2023 attacks. The court's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, initiated the request for the warrants in May, stating there were reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu and Gallant bore "criminal responsibility" for causing mass starvation in Gaza.
Netanyahu, Gallant accused of causing mass starvation in Gaza
Both Israel and Hamas have denied the charges. It will now be up to the ICC's 124 member states, which exclude Israel and its ally, the United States, to decide whether or not to implement the warrants. The arrest warrants issued by the ICC also make Netanyahu and Gallant internationally wanted suspects. They risk arrest if they travel to any country that is a signatory to the 1998 Rome Statute.
Arrest warrants make Netanyahu, Gallant internationally wanted suspects
The prosecutor's case against them originates from the October 7, 2023, attack, when Hamas terrorists killed around 1,200 people and took 251 others as hostages. Following the incident, Israel launched a military campaign to eradicate Hamas, killing at least 44,000 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. On Thursday, the court announced that it had found reasonable grounds to believe Deif was responsible for crimes against humanity and war crimes such as murder, torture, rape, and hostage taking.
US expresses mixed stance on ICC's actions
The US has taken a mixed stance on the ICC's actions. It welcomed the court's warrants against Russian officials for atrocities in Ukraine but denounces those against Netanyahu and Gallant. This position has prompted accusations of double standards from several UN member states. Netanyahu condemned the ICC's actions as "disgraceful" and "antisemitic," while US President Joe Biden criticized the prosecutor's request but backed Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas.
