The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Gallant, and Hamas military leader Deif. The charges include war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Israel-Hamas conflict. The ICC’s decision has drawn mixed reactions globally, intensifying debates on accountability and justice.
Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas's military commander Mohammed Deif. The warrants allege war crimes and crimes against humanity during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The ICC stated that its pre-trial chamber rejected challenges to its jurisdiction, paving the way for the warrants. While Israel's military claims Deif was killed in a July airstrike, the ICC prosecution noted they could not confirm his death. The warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant focus on allegations of "starvation as a method of warfare" and "intentional attacks on civilians." For Deif, the charges include murder, torture, and other severe crimes.
The ICC’s decision now leaves enforcement to its 124 member states, excluding Israel and the United States. The prosecutor, Karim Khan, had sought similar warrants earlier this year for other Hamas leaders, Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, both reportedly killed in recent military operations.
The charges stem from the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, which left approximately 1,200 dead and saw hostages taken to Gaza. Israel’s military response has resulted in over 44,000 deaths in Gaza, according to health authorities there.
Reactions are deeply divided. Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the ICC’s decision, labeling it a "mockery of justice," while Palestinian politician Mustafa Barghouti welcomed the move, urging further legal actions against Israel for alleged genocide. The development marks a significant escalation in the international legal response to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
