File Image of Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have issued arrest warrants for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif.
In a statement, the pre-trial chamber rejected Israel’s objections to the court’s jurisdiction and cited “reasonable grounds” to believe the three men bear “criminal responsibility” for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
EDITOR’S PICKS
Both Israel and Hamas have denied the accusations.
The warrant for Deif was issued despite claims by the Israeli military that he was killed in a July airstrike in Gaza. The chamber, however, stated it could not confirm his death.
The ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan, originally sought warrants in May for Netanyahu, Gallant, Deif, and two other Hamas leaders—Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar—both of whom were reported killed in subsequent strikes.
The allegations against Hamas leaders include crimes such as extermination, murder, taking hostages, rape, and torture, while those against the Israeli leaders involve deliberate attacks on civilians, use of starvation as a weapon, and other war crimes.
These charges stem from the events of October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a deadly assault on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
Israel’s military response has since resulted in the deaths of over 44,000 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
The enforcement of these warrants now depends on the ICC’s 124 member states, none of which include Israel or the United States.
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has expressed outrage over the loss of more than…
A former military governor of Akwa Ibom and River states and Minister retired Major General…
Rickey Henderson, the legendary Major League Baseball player known for his unmatched speed and unparalleled…