ICC judges cited evidence suggesting that Netanyahu and Gallant are responsible for acts such as murder, persecution, and the use of starvation as a weapon, part of what they described as a "widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population of Gaza." The court highlighted the impact of the Gaza blockade, leading to shortages of food, water, electricity, fuel, and medical supplies, which resulted in civilian casualties, including deaths due to malnutrition and dehydration.
The response to the warrants has been mixed: Israel has condemned the decision as "shameful" and illegitimate, while residents of Gaza and Hamas representatives view it as a long-overdue step towards justice. A Hamas spokesperson expressed hope that the move would bring an end to the ongoing conflict.
The warrant for Ibrahim Al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif, relates to mass killings, hostage-taking, and other crimes during the October 2023 attacks in Israel. Although Israel claims Al-Masri was killed in a July airstrike, Hamas has not confirmed his death. The ICC's prosecution team continues to gather information regarding his status.
Israel, which does not recognize the ICC’s authority, denies committing war crimes in Gaza, and its leadership has vowed to continue military operations until their objectives are met. The United States, another non-member of the ICC, has also criticized the court’s actions, with a White House official citing concerns over the decision process.
Despite lacking its own enforcement power, the ICC relies on cooperation from its 124 member states. The ICC’s prosecutor, Karim Khan, has urged member nations to fulfill their obligations under the Rome Statute and cooperate with the court's orders.
Reactions from around the world have been divided. European Union officials have called for respect for the court’s decision, while some global powers, such as Russia and China, who are not signatories to the ICC, have not issued a response. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with over 44,000 Palestinians killed and nearly the entire population displaced during Israel’s 13-month military campaign, launched in response to the Hamas-led attack in October 2023 that resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and the capture of over 250 hostages.
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