The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in connection with war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.
The court's decision, announced Thursday, follows a series of challenges made by Israel concerning the ICC’s jurisdiction over the situation in Palestine.
In its ruling, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I dismissed Israel's objections regarding the court's authority to investigate Israeli nationals, particularly in relation to events occurring between October 8, 2023, and May 20, 2024. The chamber found that the ICC had the legal grounds to proceed with the investigation, citing the court's jurisdiction over the Palestinian territories of Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, as determined in previous rulings.
The arrest warrants were issued after the court concluded that Netanyahu and Gallant bear responsibility for crimes including the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare, and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts.
The charges stem from alleged actions that resulted in widespread deprivation of food, water, medicine, and essential supplies to the civilian population of Gaza, contributing to severe humanitarian conditions.
The ICC noted that these acts were carried out by Israeli government bodies and military forces, which, according to the chamber, had intentionally deprived civilians in Gaza of basic survival necessities. Humanitarian organizations, it was stated, faced significant restrictions on their operations, exacerbating the suffering of civilians in the region.
The arrest warrants, classified as "secret" to protect ongoing investigations and witnesses, highlight the ICC's determination to hold individuals accountable for their actions, even as the situation in Gaza continues to evolve. Netanyahu and Gallant, who are accused of directing these operations, are also held responsible for failing to prevent or repress crimes committed by Israeli forces under their command.
Israel had previously challenged the legitimacy of the investigation, with the government claiming that the ICC lacked jurisdiction over its actions. The court, however, dismissed these challenges, stating that jurisdiction was based on the territorial scope of the conflict and the applicability of international humanitarian law.
The charges against Netanyahu and Gallant are part of a broader investigation into the Israel-Palestine conflict, which has drawn international scrutiny. The situation has prompted several countries, including South Africa, Bangladesh, and Bolivia, to refer the matter to the ICC.
