The International Criminal Court has recently issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and senior Hamas leader Mohammed Deif, accusing them of war crimes related to the October 7 attacks on Israel.
The court found “reasonable grounds” to believe Netanyahu is responsible for war crimes, including “starvation as a method of warfare” and crimes against humanity such as “murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts.”
This marks the first time an Israeli leader has been summoned by an international court for alleged actions during the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While ICC warrants don’t ensure arrests, they could severely restrict Netanyahu’s ability to travel to member states.
Netanyahu’s office dismissed the warrants as “absurd and antisemitic,” insisting that Israel was justified in its actions after Hamas launched a deadly attack.
“No war is more just,” the office stated, adding that Netanyahu will not yield until the goals of the war are achieved. Israel, like the U.S., is not a member of the ICC and disputes the court’s jurisdiction, a stance the ICC rejected on Thursday.
The court claims jurisdiction over territories Israel occupies, such as Gaza and the West Bank, based on an agreement with the Palestinian leadership.
The court also issued a warrant for Hamas official Mohammed Deif, accusing him of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, and rape. Deif is believed to have masterminded the October 7 attack. Though Israel claimed to have killed him in July, Hamas has not confirmed his death.
Hamas welcomed the warrants against Israeli officials, calling them a “significant historical precedent” to rectify the injustices Palestinians have endured. However, they made no mention of the warrant for Deif.
The United States, a key ally of Israel, strongly opposes the ICC’s actions. President Biden criticized the warrants, asserting there is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas. The U.S. has also pushed legislation to sanction individuals involved with the ICC’s investigation.
Israeli leaders, including President Isaac Herzog and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, condemned the warrants as politically motivated and an attack on Israel’s right to defend itself. Far-right Minister Itamar Ben Gvir labeled the ICC “antisemitic,” suggesting that Israel respond by asserting control over the West Bank.
Experts predict that the ICC’s decision will have significant diplomatic repercussions, potentially limiting the ability of Israeli leaders to travel internationally and influencing third-party cooperation with Israel’s military.
The ICC relies on member states to execute arrest warrants, and Netanyahu and Gallant could be detained if they enter any of the 124 ICC member countries. Previous warrants have led to 21 arrests, with 27 individuals still at large.
The court’s decision is a pivotal moment in Israel’s history, marking a potential shift in international legal accountability.
