International Criminal Court Targets Netanyahu with Arrest Warrant

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The court also issued warrants for former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif.

Allegations and Charges

The ICC’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, stated, “There are reasonable grounds to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant bear criminal responsibility for causing mass starvation in Gaza, which constitutes war crimes and crimes against humanity.” The court’s decision highlights the alleged deprivation of essential supplies, including food, water, and medical supplies, to the civilian population in Gaza.

BREAKING: The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas leader Al-Masri.https://t.co/PAiZ4D1jU3

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International Reactions

The United States, which has previously supported ICC warrants against Russian officials, has condemned the court’s actions against Netanyahu and Gallant. President Joe Biden remarked, “The ICC’s pursuit of these warrants is a disgraceful attack on Israel’s right to defend itself.”

Implications for Netanyahu

The arrest warrants place Netanyahu and Gallant at risk of detention if they travel to any of the ICC’s 124 member states. Israeli opposition leaders have fiercely criticized the ICC’s move. Benny Gantz, a retired general, called the decision “a shameful stain of historic proportion,” while Yair Lapid described it as “a prize for terror.”

Future Proceedings

Despite Israel’s rejection of the ICC’s jurisdiction, the court has maintained that Israel’s acceptance is not required for these proceedings. The warrants are expected to increase international pressure on Netanyahu’s government as the US seeks to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

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