ICC Issues Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the Israeli military operations in Gaza between October 2023 and May 2024. The court alleges that they knowingly deprived Gaza's civilian population of essential resources, contributing to a humanitarian crisis. In response, Israeli officials have denounced the warrants as 'absurd orders', questioning the ICC's authority and legitimacy. The ICC's jurisdiction has been a contentious issue, with Israel rejecting it on the grounds that it is not a party to the Rome Statute. Additionally, the warrants coincide with ongoing violence in the region, including attacks on medical facilities in Gaza. Human rights organizations have welcomed the ICC's decision, emphasizing the necessity for accountability in international law violations.