The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, charging them with crimes against humanity and war crimes related to the Gaza conflict. The decision follows ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan’s request, covering the period from October 8 to May 20.
The court claims there are grounds to charge both men with war crimes, including the use of starvation as a method of warfare and other inhumane acts. The death toll in Gaza has exceeded 43,000.
These warrants could lead to arrest if Netanyahu or Gallant travel to any of the 125 countries that are ICC members. Israel condemned the ruling, with Netanyahu calling it “antisemitic” and likening it to the Dreyfus affair. The U.S. rejected the decision, while many European nations showed support for the court’s authority.
Canada, France, and the UK said they respect the court’s ruling, but the UK did not commit to enforcing the warrants. Italy expressed reservations about comparing Israeli officials to Hamas but supported the ICC’s legal role.
Hamas and the Palestinian Authority welcomed the warrants, urging international action to enforce them. Turkey also praised the decision, while Hungary and Argentina rejected the ICC’s move, calling it politically motivated.
