ICC issues arrest warrant for Netanyahu over Gaza conflict war crimes
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 related to the Gaza conflict. Hamas leader Mohammed Deif is also wanted, though Israel claims he was killed earlier this year. The ICC's decision marks a significant escalation in legal actions concerning the Gaza war, which began after a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. The conflict has resulted in extensive casualties, with health authorities reporting around 44,000 Palestinian deaths, mostly women and children. The ICC stated there are reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu and Gallant intentionally deprived Gaza civilians of essential resources. However, Israel and the U.S. are not ICC members, limiting the likelihood of enforcement. Israel has challenged the ICC's jurisdiction and condemned the warrants as biased.