THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The International Criminal Court, ICC, issued arrest warrants Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif.
The court accused them of crimes against humanity and war crimes stemming from the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.
The ICC stated the charges against Netanyahu and Gallant included “intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population” and using “starvation as a method of warfare.”
The court also accused them of knowingly depriving Gaza’s population of food, water, medicine, and other essentials while obstructing humanitarian aid.
Allegations Against Israeli Leaders
The ICC contends that the actions of Netanyahu and Gallant, who was dismissed by Netanyahu in October, resulted in “inhumane acts” and widespread suffering in Gaza.
The death toll in the Palestinian enclave has surpassed 44,000, with thousands of children among the victims, according to local officials.
The court found sufficient grounds to believe both leaders bore responsibility for actions that constituted “murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts.”
Israeli officials fiercely condemned the court’s decision. President Isaac Herzog described it as “an outrageous decision” and “a dark day for humanity.”
Netanyahu, a vocal critic of the ICC, previously called Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan a “rogue prosecutor” who aims to “demonize the one and only Jewish state.”
Charges Against Mohammed Deif
The ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Mohammed Deif, the alleged mastermind of the October 7 attacks that killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and resulted in hundreds being taken hostage.
Deif faces accusations of crimes against humanity, including planning and executing the attacks.
While Israel reported killing Deif earlier this year, the ICC noted his alleged role in orchestrating acts of terrorism.
A Controversial Decision
The ICC’s investigation into alleged war crimes in the region began in 2020, focusing on actions by both Israeli forces and Palestinian militants dating back to the 2014 conflict.
However, Thursday’s warrants mark the most significant escalation of international legal pressure on high-profile figures in the ongoing conflict.
Israel does not recognise the ICC’s jurisdiction and is unlikely to comply with the warrants. The U.S., which also rejects the ICC’s authority, has refrained from commenting on the development thus far.
The arrest warrants complicate Netanyahu’s position on the international stage, as he now faces potential arrest in countries that recognise ICC jurisdiction, including much of Europe.
While the court has no enforcement mechanism, it relies on member states to execute warrants.
Reactions from Both Sides
A senior Hamas official welcomed the court’s actions, calling the warrants evidence that “international justice is with us.”
Meanwhile, Israeli officials rallied against the decision, with former U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan denouncing the ICC’s actions as “absurd” and “encouraging terrorists.”
“This is a broken and immoral international system,” Erdan said on social media.
He urged for the establishment of a new international order led by nations prioritising “Western values, freedom, and the fight against terror.”
The ICC’s actions follow months of escalating tensions and devastating violence. As the situation in Gaza deteriorates, the court’s decision is likely to polarise opinions further and complicate efforts for a resolution in the region.
