ICC issues arrest warrants for Israeli PM Netanyahu, Defense Minister Gallant

Six months after prosecutor Karim Khan's request, the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

The development came as the death toll in the Palestinian enclave passed 44,000, including thousands of children, according to local officials.

Israel launched its deadly offensive following the Hamas-led Oct. 7 terror attacks in which Israeli officials said some 1,200 people were killed and around 250 others taken hostage, marking a major escalation in the decadeslong conflict.

A warrant for Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif, the leader of the Hamas military, was also issued by the Hague-based court.

Due to atrocities that have occurred since October 7 of last year, the Israelis and Deif are charged with a number of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The three-judge Pre-Trial Chamber I of the ICC stated in a statement that it has denied pleas from Israel contesting its jurisdiction.

All 124 member states of the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the court, are now under an obligation to arrest the wanted individuals and hand them over to the ICC in the Hague. A trial cannot commence in absentia.

However, the court does not have enforcement powers. It relies on the cooperation of member states to arrest and surrender suspects.