International Criminal Court issues arrest warrants for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu over ‘war crimes’

Amid ongoing Israel–Hezbollah conflict, the International Criminal Court on Thursday issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The arrest warrant has been issued accusing him of war crimes and crimes against humanity over the war in Gaza and the October 2023 attacks that triggered Israel’s offensive in the Palestinian territory.

The warrant has also been issued against Netanyahu’s former defence minister Yoav Gallant, as well as Hamas’ military chief Mohammed Deif.

The decision turns Netanyahu and the others into internationally wanted suspects, reported AP.

However, the practical implications could be limited since Israel and its major ally, the United States, are not members of the court.

The report said that several of the Hamas officials have been subsequently killed in the conflict.

Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders have condemned ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan’s request for warrants as disgraceful and antisemitic.