The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif. The court accused them of committing crimes against humanity and war crimes during the yearlong conflict in Gaza.
Allegations Against Netanyahu and Gallant
The ICC alleges that Netanyahu and Gallant oversaw policies that deprived Gaza’s civilian population of essential supplies, including food, water, fuel, and medicine. The court also accuses them of intentionally targeting civilians and obstructing humanitarian aid, describing their actions as “starvation as a method of warfare” and crimes against humanity, including persecution and inhumane acts.
The ICC investigation found reasonable grounds to hold both leaders criminally responsible as “civilian superiors” for war crimes committed from October 8, 2023, to May 20, 2024.
Allegations Against Mohammed Deif
Deif, who Israeli officials claimed was killed earlier this year, is accused of orchestrating the October 7 attacks, which killed approximately 1,200 people and led to around 250 hostages being taken. The ICC holds him accountable for crimes against humanity and war crimes during the assault.
Global Reactions
Israel dismissed the ICC’s actions as “antisemitic” and “politically motivated.” Netanyahu’s office rejected the charges as baseless, while Israeli President Isaac Herzog called the move a “dark day for justice.” U.S. officials, including the National Security Council, criticized the decision, reiterating their non-recognition of the ICC’s jurisdiction. President Joe Biden previously described the court’s efforts as “outrageous.”
Hamas, while welcoming the warrants as symbolic progress, emphasized the need for international support to enforce the decisions.
Implications and Challenges
The ICC lacks enforcement capabilities, meaning the arrest warrants depend on its 125 member states. These nations are obligated to detain the accused if they enter their territory. Former Human Rights Watch executive Kenneth Roth noted that the warrants limit the global mobility of Netanyahu and Gallant. Roth also urged governments supplying arms to Israel to reconsider their role, warning they could face complicity charges.
The court’s actions follow its ongoing investigation into alleged war crimes in the region dating back to the 2014 Israel-Hamas conflict. Both Israel and the U.S. refuse to recognize the ICC, complicating enforcement of the warrants.
The development highlights escalating international scrutiny over actions by both Israeli leaders and Hamas during the decadeslong conflict.
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