ICC issues arrest warrants for Israel's Netanyahu, Gallant and Hamas leader

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants on November 21 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former defense chief Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader Ibrahim Al-Masri, charging them with war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the Gaza conflict.

Netanyahu and Gallant face allegations of murder, persecution, and using starvation as a weapon of war against Gaza’s civilian population.

Al-Masri is accused of mass killings, rape, and hostage-taking during the October 7 attacks that sparked the ongoing conflict.

Israel rejected the ICC’s jurisdiction and dismissed the charges as baseless. Hamas welcomed the warrants, calling them a step toward justice.

The U.S. and other nations have criticized the court’s actions, with some like the Netherlands expressing willingness to enforce the warrants.