The Hague: The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas’s military chief Mohammed Deif.

The warrants, announced on Thursday, charge Netanyahu and Gallant with crimes against humanity and war crimes committed between October 8, 2023, and May 20, 2024. Hamas’s Deif faces similar charges.

The Hague-based ICC stated that the warrants were initially classified to protect witnesses and safeguard the investigations. However, details were released as similar conduct allegedly continues, and victims’ families were deemed to have a right to know.

Netanyahu and Gallant
The arrest warrants restrict Netanyahu's travel to the 124 ICC member nations, where authorities are obligated to detain him. Gallant, dismissed from his post as Defense Minister earlier this month, also faces the same restrictions.

Mohammed Deif
An arrest warrant for Deif was also issued, despite Israeli claims of his death in a July airstrike in southern Gaza. Hamas continues to deny his death.

Ongoing Conflict and Legal Implications
The ICC chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, initiated the request for warrants in May 2024, citing alleged war crimes in Gaza. The tribunal also dropped a previous warrant request for Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh following reports of his death in Tehran.

This development follows the ongoing conflict triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, cross-border assault, which resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths. In response, Israel has conducted extensive military operations in Gaza, with Gaza's health ministry reporting over 44,000 deaths and 104,000 injuries over the course of the war.

The ICC’s actions mark a significant step in addressing alleged violations by both Israeli officials and Hamas leaders in the protracted conflict.