ICC Judges Decline Israel’s Request to Withdraw Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant

ICC Judges Decline Israel’s Request to Withdraw Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant
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The International Criminal Court (ICC) judges have dismissed Israel’s appeal, maintaining the arrest warrants issued for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza, Khaama Press reported.

On Wednesday, the ICC’s judges rejected Israel’s bid to cancel the warrants targeting Netanyahu, Gallant, and Hamas leader Ibrahim al-Masri, which were originally issued on November 21. Israel, not a member of the ICC, has argued that the court lacks jurisdiction to investigate its actions in the Gaza conflict.

The ICC’s appeals chamber has directed the pre-trial chamber to reconsider Israel’s jurisdictional objections, but emphasized that the arrest warrants remain valid until a final decision is reached.

While most Western countries have stayed silent on the matter, the United States responded forcefully by imposing unprecedented sanctions in June on four ICC judges, including two who participated in denying Israel’s request.

The ICC has not announced a timeline for ruling on the jurisdiction issue, meaning the arrest warrants remain legally binding. Israel continues to dispute the court’s authority and the charges against its officials.

Meanwhile, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that more than 55,000 Palestinians have died and 127,000 have been injured since the conflict began in October 2023. Recent Israeli airstrikes have pushed the death toll beyond 58,000, with at least 32 civilians killed in the latest attacks, including six children.