The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and a Hamas leader, Ibrahim Al-Masri, over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The decision, announced on Thursday, follows ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan’s declaration on May 20 that he would seek arrest warrants for individuals connected to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel and the subsequent Israeli military response in Gaza.The ICC stated that Israel’s acceptance of the court’s jurisdiction was not required for the warrants to be issued.Israel, however, has rejected the court’s authority, with officials denying allegations of war crimes committed in Gaza. The Israeli government also claims to have killed Al-Masri, better known as Mohammed Deif, in an airstrike. Hamas, however, has neither confirmed nor denied reports of his death.This development marks a significant step in the international legal response to escalating tensions and violence in the region. Both Netanyahu and Gallant, prominent figures in the Israeli government, face increasing scrutiny amid calls for accountability.
