ICC warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant ignite hopes for justice in Gaza crisis, top French Muslim body says
Benjamin Netanyahu, left, with Yoav Gallant: ‘In the midst of a war, more than ever, full trust is required between the prime minister and the defence minister’ © Amir Cohen/Reuters
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
This historic move has been described by the French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) as “a glimmer of hope” in the face of what it termed an escalating tragedy of ‘barbarity and impunity.
The CFCM, a prominent voice for Muslims in France, said the ICC’s decision offered a glimmer of justice amid the relentless suffering in Gaza, where Israeli actions have left tens of thousands dead or injured.
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The council criticized French political and media establishments for their unwavering support of Netanyahu, even at the cost of disregarding international law and humanitarian principles.
The ICC’s arrest warrants come as part of its ongoing investigation into Israel’s actions during its military campaign in Gaza, which began following a Hamas cross-border assault in October last year.
This offensive has resulted in over 44,000 Palestinian deaths—predominantly women and children—and more than 104,000 injuries, leaving a trail of devastation in the blockaded enclave.
In response to the bloodshed, Israel faces mounting legal challenges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where it stands accused of genocide.
Meanwhile, Israeli military operations in Lebanon have claimed over 3,600 lives and displaced more than a million people since the conflict escalated in late 2023.
For the CFCM, the ICC’s intervention represents not just a legal milestone but also a moral stand against the normalization of violence.
