Just in: ICC issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, others

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif on Thursday, citing crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The Hague-based ICC said in a statement: “The Chamber issued warrants of arrest for two individuals, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu and Mr. Yoav Gallant, for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024, the day the prosecution filed the applications for warrants of arrest.

“A warrant had also been issued for Deif.”

ICC classified the arrest warrants as “secret” to safeguard ongoing investigations and protect witness identities.

“However, the Chamber decided to release the information below since conduct similar to that addressed in the warrant of arrest appears to be ongoing,” the tribunal said.

“Moreover, the Chamber considers it to be in the interest of victims and their families that they are made aware of the warrants’ existence.”

Persecondnews recalls that ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan requested the court issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant in May, citing alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Netanyahu sacked Gallant as defence minister on November 5.

Khan also sought warrants against top Hamas leaders, including Mohammed Deif, on suspicion of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The prosecutor dropped the application for Haniyeh on August 2 “because of the changed circumstances caused by Mr. Haniyeh’s death” in Tehran on July 31, the ICC earlier said in a statement.

According to Israel, Deif was killed by a strike on July 13 in southern Gaza, though Hamas denies he is dead.

The war between Israel and Hamas began on October 7, 2023, after Hamas militants launched a cross-border raid, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the deadliest attack in Israeli history.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 44,000 deaths and 104,268 wounded in Gaza, with nearly 90% of the population displaced.