The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
In addition to Netanyahu, the ICC has also issued warrants for his former defense chief and Hamas leader Ibrahim Al-Masri.
The warrants were issued following ICC prosecutor Karim Khan’s announcement on May 20, seeking arrests in connection with the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel and the subsequent Israeli military response in Gaza.
The ICC clarified that Israel’s consent to its jurisdiction was not required for the warrants. Israel, however, rejects the court’s authority and denies committing war crimes in Gaza.
This development comes amidst claims by Israel that it killed Al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif, in an airstrike—a claim Hamas has not confirmed.
Tensions in the Middle East have escalated in recent months, fueled by the ongoing conflict between Israel, Hamas, and Iran. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, alongside Israel’s increased military activity in Lebanon.
