# ICC Issues Arrest Warrants for Israeli Leaders Amid Gaza Crisis

The ICC's recent arrest warrants highlight allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to actions in Gaza.

In a groundbreaking development, the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced on Thursday that it has issued arrest warrants for two Israeli leaders in connection with the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. According to the court's statement, there are substantial grounds to believe that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant hold “criminal responsibility” for the situation that has led to the suffering of millions in the territory.

The crisis in Gaza has left over two million people displaced, many forced to live in makeshift tents while struggling daily to secure sufficient food and clean water. This deterioration follows Israel's military campaign initiated in response to the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, with Israeli officials claiming their goal is the complete eradication of the militant group.

In its statement, the ICC emphasized the need to protect witnesses by withholding details of the warrants; however, it acknowledged that similar conduct could be ongoing, necessitating public transparency. The court articulated that there were reasonable grounds to argue that Netanyahu and Gallant might be liable for “the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare,” as well as the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts.

Netanyahu’s administration swiftly dismissed these allegations as “absurd and false,” accusing the ICC of harboring antisemitic motivations. Israeli officials, along with some humanitarian workers, have attributed the deteriorating conditions in Gaza to uncontrollable lawlessness and attacks on aid convoys, complicating relief efforts.

Moreover, the ICC's findings pointed out that some deaths among the Gazan population could be attributed to severe deprivation linked to Israeli-imposed restrictions on humanitarian aid deliveries. These measures, the court argued, may constitute persecution under international law, illustrating the gravity of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.