ICC orders arrest of Israel’s Netanyahu, Gallant, Hamas leader as war rages

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has, on Thursday, issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader Ibrahim Al-Masri, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the ongoing Gaza conflict.

The ICC alleges that Netanyahu and Gallant committed crimes including murder, persecution, and the use of starvation as a weapon during a “widespread and systematic attack” on Gaza’s civilian population.

The court cited the Gaza blockade and the denial of essential supplies such as food, water, and medical resources, which it says led to the deaths of civilians, including children, due to malnutrition and dehydration.

Hamas leader Ibrahim Al-Masri faces charges for mass killings, rape, and hostage-taking during the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel that triggered the war. Although Israel is alleged to have killed Al-Masri in a July airstrike.

Also, Gaza residents expressed hope that the decision could lead to accountability, while Hamas praised it as a step toward justice.

While reacting, Israel dismissed the warrants as “shameful and absurd” and rejected the ICC’s jurisdiction.

The United States, which is not an ICC member, criticized the court’s actions. A White House spokesperson expressed concerns about the process, calling the decision rushed, and stated that the U.S. is consulting with partners on how to respond.

“We remain deeply concerned by the prosecutor’s rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision,” a White House National Security Council spokesperson said.