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ICC issues arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and former defence minister, Yoav Gallant, along with the military commander of Hamas, Mohammed Deif.

ICC judges said there was 'reasonable grounds' that the men bore 'criminal responsibility' for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Israel has said that Deif was killed in an air strike in July.

Netanyahu has called the decision 'antisemitic' and the White House said the US rejected it. At the same time, several European countries including Italy and the Netherlands have said they respect the decision.

The ICC has found reasonable grounds to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant "bear criminal responsibility for the following crimes as co-perpetrators for committing the acts jointly with others: the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts". Gallant was replaced as defence minister earlier this year.

With regards to Deif, the ICC found reasonable grounds to believe he was "responsible for the crimes against humanity of murder; extermination; torture; and rape and other form of sexual violence; as well as the war crimes of murder, cruel treatment, torture; taking hostages; outrages upon personal dignity; and rape and other form of sexual violence".

ICC Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan KC said: "Today, our collective mind and focus should be on the victims of international crimes in Israel and in the State of Palestine. In my own meetings with the victims and families of hostages taken from kibbutzim, and with victims from Gaza who have lost so many loved ones, I have underlined that the law is there for all, that its role is to vindicate the rights of all persons.

"The decision of the independent judges of the International Criminal Court affirms that international humanitarian law must be upheld in all circumstances through fair and impartial judicial processes.

"As I emphasised in May, these applications were made following an independent investigation, and on the basis of objective, verifiable evidence vetted through a forensic process.

"I appeal to all States Parties to live up to their commitment to the Rome Statute by respecting and complying with these judicial orders. We count on their cooperation in this situation, as with all other situations under the Court’s jurisdiction. We also welcome collaboration with non-States Parties in working towards accountability and upholding international law."