ICC Rejects Israel Request to Cancel Netanyahu, Gallant Arrest Warrants

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has rejected Israel's request to cancel arrest warrants issued against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as Israel's plea to suspend the ongoing investigation into alleged crimes in the Palestinian territories. The ICC reaffirmed its jurisdiction over Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, territories occupied by Israel since 1967, and dismissed Israel's argument that an April 2025 Appeals Chamber ruling undermined the court's authority. The court clarified that suspension of the investigation applies only when a state challenges the admissibility of a case, which Israel has not done. While Israel contests the ICC’s jurisdiction and denies committing war crimes, the court maintained the arrest warrants remain valid pending review of Israel's jurisdictional challenge, for which there is no set timeline. The ICC had originally issued the arrest warrants in November 2024 on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the Gaza conflict, also involving a Hamas leader whose warrant was later withdrawn following credible reports of his death. In response to the ICC's actions, the United States imposed sanctions in June 2025 on four ICC judges, two of whom were involved in the decision to reject Israel's requests.