The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
“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 ICC said in a statement.
Israel has been carrying out a retaliatory assault in Gaza since October last year, killing tens of thousands of people, as it attempts to root out Hamas in response to the Palestinian militant group’s attack against Israel on Oct. 7 2023.
The warrant means Netanyahu and Gallant could be arrested if they travel to any of the 120 countries that are parties to the ICC.
The Hague-based court said Netanyahu and Gallant “each bear criminal responsibility” for “the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts,” as well as “intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population.”
The ICC announced in May that it was seeking an arrest warrant against Netanyahu. Thursday’s development means a warrant has been formally issued.
Israeli government ministers lashed out at the decision Thursday, with ultranationalist National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir calling the court “antisemitic through and through.”
Transport Minister Miri Regev said, “Israel will not apologize for protecting its citizens — this is not a crime, this is our national and moral duty.”
The court also issued an arrest warrant Thursday for Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, whom Israel alleged was the mastermind behind the Oct. 7 attack. Israel claims it assassinated Deif in a strike in July, but Hamas has never confirmed Deif’s death.
This story is being updated.
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