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Rabat – Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif.
The warrants stem from alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the ongoing Israeli Occupation Forces’ (IOF) genocide in Gaza.
In a decision announced today, the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber rejected Israel’s jurisdictional challenges under the Rome Statute, affirming its authority to proceed with the case.
Israel, which is not a member of the ICC, has consistently rejected its jurisdiction over their actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
The charges against Netanyahu and Gallant include allegations of war crimes such as starvation as a method of warfare and crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, and inhumane acts.
The ICC accuses the two leaders of imposing severe restrictions on essential supplies like food, water, and medical aid to Gaza’s civilian population, actions that allegedly caused widespread suffering.
For Deif, who is presumed dead by Israeli authorities but not confirmed by the ICC, the allegations include “murder, torture, and sexual violence” as part of Hamas’ attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Netanyahu and Gallant have yet to comment on the ICC’s decision. Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the ruling, calling it a “mockery of justice” and accusing the ICC of siding with “terror and evil.”
Palestinian political figures, including Mustafa Barghouti, welcomed the court’s move, with some calling for additional international rulings to address the ongoing Gaza genocide.
The ICC’s decision obliges its 124 member states to cooperate with the arrest warrants, though enforcement remains uncertain. Israel and its key ally, the United States, are not ICC members, complicating potential legal and diplomatic consequences.
Reactions from global leaders were divided. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell stated that the ICC’s ruling “is not political” and that it should be “respected and implemented.”
Similarly, Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi remarked, “The Palestinians deserve justice. The ICC’s decisions must be upheld.”
In the Netherlands, Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp expressed readiness to cooperate, stating, “We will act on the arrest warrants if necessary.”
Meanwhile, France’s foreign ministry acknowledged the legal complexities, with spokesperson Christophe Lemoine noting, France will “act in line with ICC statutes” but is reviewing the implementation process.
US Senator Lindsey Graham condemned the ICC’s move as “absurd and irresponsible,” adding, “The court has legitimized a corrupt prosecutor’s actions and defied every concept of fundamental fairness and the rule of law.”
The prosecutor’s investigation spans atrocities of the IOF ongoing genocidal campaign, which has now brutally killed over 44,000 Palestinians.
