International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant for Israeli PM Netanyahu

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and a senior Hamas leader, citing war crimes during and after the October 7 attacks on Israel. This is a landmark move, making Netanyahu the first Israeli leader to face such charges at the ICC.

The warrants allege crimes including “starvation as a method of warfare,” murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts. These actions could limit Netanyahu’s international travel, especially to countries that recognize ICC jurisdiction.

Netanyahu’s office dismissed the charges as “absurd and antisemitic,” defending Israel’s military actions as justifiable responses to Hamas’s attacks. Israel, not a member of the ICC, has consistently rejected the court’s authority over its actions, despite the ICC’s claim to jurisdiction in Palestinian territories.

Hamas welcomed the ICC’s action against Israeli leaders while criticizing the court’s prior attempts to prosecute Hamas officials. The ICC has also issued a warrant for Mohammed Deif, a senior Hamas leader, accusing him of crimes including murder, torture, and sexual violence.