Thursday
21st Nov 2024
Dhivehi Edition
International Criminal court
ICC Issues Arrest Warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant Over War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity in Gaza
Benjamin Netanyahu
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity against Palestinians in Gaza. The charges include using starvation as a weapon of war, deliberate attacks on civilians, and systematic persecution.
The court found reasonable grounds to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant deliberately deprived Gaza’s population of essential supplies, such as food, water, medicine, fuel, and electricity, during the period from October 8, 2023, to May 20, 2024. These actions caused immense suffering and the deaths of civilians, including children, highlighting the severity of the humanitarian crisis.
According to the ICC, the actions of the Israeli leaders were not motivated by military necessity but were part of a systematic campaign targeting Palestinians in Gaza. The court noted that humanitarian aid was blocked or restricted, with decisions to allow minimal assistance made only in response to international pressure. Hospitals struggled to function, with patients, including children, undergoing surgeries without anesthesia due to the blockade on medical supplies.
The Chamber confirmed that the alleged crimes fall within its jurisdiction, noting the occupation of Palestine and the application of international humanitarian law to the situation. The court also emphasized that the widespread and systematic attacks on Gaza’s civilian population, based on political and national grounds, amounted to persecution and murder—key elements of crimes against humanity.
Despite repeated warnings and appeals from international organizations, Netanyahu and Gallant allegedly failed to prevent the suffering of the population in Gaza or fulfill their legal obligations under international humanitarian law. Instead, their actions appear calculated to punish and destroy part of the civilian population in the besieged territory.
These warrants, though classified to protect witnesses, were partially disclosed by the ICC to inform victims and their families and to shed light on the ongoing violations. The move represents a step toward holding Israeli leadership accountable for the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.