ICC issues arrest warrants for Israeli PM Netanyahu, Defense Minister Gallant, Hamas leader Deif

This is reported on the ICC's official website.

The arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant were issued for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed between at least October 8, 2023, and May 20, 2024—the date when the prosecution filed a motion for the issuance of the warrants.

The ICC stated that Netanyahu and Gallant bear criminal responsibility as co-perpetrators for committing the following crimes: starvation as a method of warfare, murder, persecution, and other unlawful acts.

“The Chamber also found reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant each bear criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population,” the statement says.

Additionally, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for the leader of Hamas' military wing, Muhammad Diab Ibrahim al-Masri, also known as Muhammad Deif. In August 2024, the IDF claimed that Deif had been killed. However, the ICC stated that they are currently unable to determine whether Deif was killed or is still alive. Therefore, the Chamber is issuing this arrest warrant.

The Chamber found sufficient grounds to believe that Deif is responsible for crimes against humanity, including murder, extermination, torture, rape, and other forms of sexual violence, as well as war crimes, including murder, cruel treatment, torture, taking hostages, outrages upon personal dignity, rape, and other forms of sexual violence, according to the statement.

The arrest warrants for all three individuals are classified as "secret" to protect witnesses and ensure the investigation can proceed. However, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber decided to disclose the information because actions similar to those described in the arrest warrants appear to be ongoing.  

Additionally, the Chamber believes it is in the interest of the victims and their families to be aware of the existence of the arrest warrants.

• In May, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court requested that arrest warrants be issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Galant, and three Hamas leaders.