The International Criminal Court (ICC) recently issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to their actions during the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
These charges stem from alleged acts of starvation and the intentional targeting of civilians in Gaza, as well as blocking essential humanitarian supplies like food, water, and medical aid.
According to the ICC, Netanyahu and Gallant are accused of directing military actions that led to the deaths of civilians, including children, due to malnutrition and dehydration. The court also claims that these actions, which caused severe suffering, were part of a strategy to destroy a portion of Gaza's civilian population.
The charges come after the intense Israeli military operations in Gaza following Hamas's surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. This war has resulted in significant civilian casualties, displacement, and the destruction of vital infrastructure in Gaza, including hospitals and schools.
The ICC’s ruling suggests that the leaders were directly responsible for the humanitarian crisis, which has left countless civilians without access to life-saving resources.
The ICC’s jurisdiction over the matter was contested by Israel, which argued that the court could not exercise authority over Israel without its consent.
However, the court rejected this challenge, ruling that it had the legal right to investigate actions in Palestinian territories, including Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.
Israel had previously refused to cooperate with the court, and its objections were deemed premature since jurisdictional challenges can only be made after an arrest warrant is issued.
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