Arrest warrants issued for Netanyahu, Gallant and Hamas commander over alleged war crimes

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence Secretary Yoav Gallant, and a senior Hamas commander over alleged war crimes committed during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant are related to alleged crimes including the use of starvation as a weapon of war, murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts following Israel’s military actions in Gaza after the Hamas attacks on October 7.

Israel has strongly rejected these charges, calling them "anti-Semitic" and "false."

In addition, the ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Hamas leader Mohammed Deif, also known as Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al Masri.

Deif is accused of masterminding the October 7 attacks and is wanted for war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, and taking hostages.

The ICC acknowledged it cannot confirm whether Deif is still alive after an airstrike earlier this year claimed to have killed him.

While Israel and the United States are not members of the ICC and do not recognize its authority, the court has moved forward with issuing the warrants.

U.S. President Joe Biden called the warrants against Israeli leaders "outrageous," asserting that there is no comparison between Israel’s actions and those of Hamas.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett also criticized the ICC's decision, calling it a "mark of shame."

The warrants follow earlier proceedings in May, where the ICC sought arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant, and Deif over their involvement in alleged war crimes.

The court has rejected Israel's challenges to the warrants, moving forward with its investigation.

The decision has sparked widespread debate. Critics argue that the ICC's actions ignore Hamas’s tactics of hiding among civilians, which they claim has contributed to civilian casualties.

Some groups, like the Board of Deputies of British Jews, believe the ICC is failing to understand the full context of the war, calling it counterproductive to peace efforts in the region.

The situation remains tense as both sides continue to accuse each other of committing atrocities during the ongoing conflict.

Source: BBC News