Photo Credit: AljazeeraIn a landmark decision, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has finally issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant.
The warrants which was pronounced yesterday, November 21, 2024, alleged that the two leaders committed a war crimes during recent military operations in Gaza, including orchestrating attacks on civilians and using hunger as a weapon.
ICC Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan KC said that his office submitted that the war crimes alleged in these cases were committed by Netanyahu and Gallant.
According to the ICC, there are “reasonable grounds” to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant were directly responsible for these crimes, which have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The use of starvation as a tactic is considered a grave violation of international law and has drawn widespread condemnation.
The ICC’s decision has been met with support from some nations, including the Netherlands, which has expressed its readiness to cooperate with the ICC in enforcing the warrants. This move marks a significant escalation in international scrutiny of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
As of 2024, there are 124 countries including France, United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, South Africa, Portugal, Australia, Nigeria who are members of ICC and they are expected to enforce the court’s decision.
Though, Israel and some notable countries like the United States, China, Russia are not members and do not recognise the court’s jurisdiction. However, the decision would have wide range implications for the Israel including diplomatic hurdles and world recognition of war crime among others
As the case progresses, further developments are expected, potentially reshaping the geopolitical landscape and testing the limits of international justice. The ICC’s investigation is ongoing, and it remains to be seen how Israel and other nations will respond to the warrants in days to come.
