ICC issues arrest warrants for Israel Prime Minister, others

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Mohammed Deif, Hamas’ military chief.

The warrants accuse them of war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to atrocities committed since October 7 last year.

In a statement, the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber I confirmed the rejection of Israel’s appeals challenging the court’s jurisdiction.

The court emphasized that publicizing the warrants was in the interest of the victims and their families, citing ongoing violence in Gaza and the detention of Israeli captives by Hamas as reasons for transparency.

While the warrants obligate the 124 member states of the Rome Statute to detain the accused and hand them over to The Hague, the ICC relies on state cooperation for enforcement.

Trials cannot proceed without the accused being physically present in court.

The warrants follow an application by prosecutor Karim Khan in May, which also included Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh. However, Sinwar and Haniyeh were later killed, with Haniyeh’s warrant withdrawn after his death was confirmed.

This marks a pivotal moment in international efforts to address alleged war crimes in the Israel-Palestine conflict.