Judges from the International Criminal Court (ICC) have determined that there are reasonable grounds to believe that three men, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, are criminally responsible for crimes committed from October 8, 2023, to May 20, 2024, the date the Prosecution filed for their arrest warrants. According to a statement released by the Court, these individuals are accused of war crimes related to starvation as a method of warfare and crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, and other acts of inhumane treatment.
The issuance of these arrest warrants came after the ICC dismissed challenges made by Israel regarding the Court’s jurisdiction in this matter. Alongside the warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, the ICC has also issued a warrant for Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif, who is alleged to have committed multiple crimes against humanity and war crimes. Notably, Israel claims that Deif was killed in a Gaza airstrike in July, though his status remains uncertain.
The ICC is actively investigating ongoing violations of international law within the context of the ongoing conflict, with plans for further arrest warrants potentially forthcoming. Initial applications for warrants against two other senior Hamas leaders were retracted after confirmations of their deaths.
As part of ongoing investigations, the Court has classified the arrest warrants as “secret” to protect witnesses, but opted to release information to ensure that victims and their families are made aware of the situation, given the continued hostilities and humanitarian concerns in the region.
ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan emphasized the importance of focusing on the victims affected by international crimes in both Israel and Palestine. After meeting victims and hostages’ families, he reiterated the Court’s commitment to justice for all. Khan called on member states to honor their commitments under the Rome Statute and encouraged collaboration to uphold international law.
The ICC is an independent judicial entity established by the Rome Statute in 1998, functioning to prosecute serious international crimes when national systems cannot or do not fulfill their responsibilities.
This development highlights the ICC’s ongoing commitment to addressing serious violations of international law and ensures accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity, fostering hope for justice for victims affected by the violence. The Court’s diligent investigations and willingness to pursue accountability serve as a reminder that international law upholds the rights of individuals, and the pursuit of justice continues even amidst conflict.