The Hague, Netherlands (Web Desk): The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday announced that arrest warrants had been issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif.
The court accused the three individuals of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity during the period from October 8, 2023, to at least May 20, 2024, with the warrants relating to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The ICC's decision to disclose these warrants, despite initially classifying them as secret, was aimed at keeping the public informed, particularly the victims and their families.
The court cited the continuing nature of the alleged offenses as a reason for transparency.
In the case of Netanyahu and Gallant, the warrants followed an application made by ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan earlier in the year, who had sought legal action against Israeli officials in relation to the escalating violence in Gaza.
Khan also requested warrants for senior Hamas leaders, including Deif, accusing them of orchestrating violence that violated international law.
The deadly cross-border assault launched by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths, marked a devastating escalation in the conflict. Since then,
Israel has been carrying out extensive military operations in Gaza, leading to a staggering death toll in the Palestinian territory.
According to Gaza's health ministry, over 44,000 people have died since the fighting began, with more than 100,000 injured.
While Israel claims that Deif was killed in an airstrike in July, Hamas continues to deny these reports, adding further complexity to the situation.
The ICC’s involvement signals the international community's increasing focus on holding individuals accountable for actions during the ongoing conflict, especially as the toll on civilians continues to rise.