ICC Issues Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant, and Hamas Commander Over Alleged War Crimes

The International Criminal Court alleges war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, citing starvation and attacks on civilians, with legal debates intensifying over jurisdiction and standards of proof.

• The ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military commander Mohammed Al-Masri, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
• Netanyahu and Gallant are accused of using starvation as a method of warfare, failing to prevent attacks on civilians, and other crimes under international armed conflict laws, while Al-Masri faces charges tied to non-international armed conflict laws.
• The court's classification of Gaza's conflict as both international and non-international armed conflict is central to the charges and determines the applicable legal framework under the Rome Statute.
• Critics are questioning the ICC's use of the 'reasonable grounds to believe' standard for arrest warrants, arguing it may be too low for sitting heads of state due to the profound political and sovereignty implications.
• The ICC Prosecutor continues broader investigations into alleged crimes in Gaza and the West Bank, with the court emphasizing that similar conduct may still be ongoing.

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