The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, citing alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
In addition to Netanyahu, the ICC also issued warrants for his former defense chief and Hamas leader Ibrahim Al-Masri.
The warrants follow a request by ICC prosecutor Karim Khan, who announced on May 20 that he was pursuing action related to alleged crimes stemming from 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 necessary to proceed.
Israel has rejected the ICC’s authority and denies allegations of war crimes in Gaza. Meanwhile, Israel claims it has killed Al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif, in an airstrike, though Hamas has not confirmed this.
Tensions in the Middle East have escalated in recent months, with intensified conflict between Israel, Hamas, and Iran. Israel has increased military activity in Lebanon while the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens.
