ICC Issues Arrest Warrants Against Israeli PM Netanyahu and Senior Officials

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on Thursday against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several senior officials.

Arrest warrants were issued for Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The Court’s Pre-Trial Chamber announced the issuance of arrest warrants for both Netanyahu and Gallant, rejecting Israel’s challenges to the court’s jurisdiction over the Israeli assault on Gaza.

This development comes as local officials report that the death toll in Palestinian territories has exceeded 44,000, including thousands of children.

Following the October 7 terrorist attack led by Hamas, around 1,200 Israelis were killed, and many others died in the subsequent Israeli attacks after around 250 people were taken hostage.

Israel has continuously denied the allegations of war crimes in Gaza, calling them “a malicious prosecutor trying to defame the only Jewish nation.” Previously, it had called on its allies not to enforce any arrest warrants.

Neither Israel nor the United States recognizes the court’s jurisdiction, although the U.S. has supported Israel’s military actions.