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In a forceful response on Thursday, the United States rejected the International Criminal Court’s move to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, describing the warrants as unwarranted and an infringement on Israeli sovereignty. The U.S. government reiterated its stance in support of Israel, expressing concern over what it saw as an overreach by the global judicial body.
A representative from the White House National Security Council voiced strong disapproval of the decision, highlighting serious procedural issues and expressing concern over the unusually swift actions taken by the Prosecutor. The spokesperson pointed out that the speed at which the warrants were issued seemed to bypass standard legal protocols, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the decision.
According to Reuters, “The United States fundamentally rejects the Court’s decision to issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials. We remain deeply concerned by the Prosecutor’s rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision,” the spokesperson said.
Reports suggest that the US government is in the midst of discussions with its allied nations, weighing potential responses to the actions taken by the International Criminal Court. These consultations are focused on determining the best course of action to safeguard both international relations and national interests in the face of the ICC’s recent move.
The announcement made by the International Criminal Court on Thursday has sparked significant international debate, attracting widespread attention and raising contentious issues that have left many questioning the implications of the decision. The controversy surrounding the ruling has only intensified, drawing reactions from across the globe.
The warrants for arrest are the direct outcome of the International Criminal Court’s persistent investigations into suspected war crimes that have plagued the region. These proceedings are part of a broader effort to ensure accountability and bring perpetrators to justice for their involvement in the alleged atrocities.
Netanyahu and Gallant have denied the accusations, with Israeli officials dismissing the ICC’s jurisdiction over the matter.
The ICC announced that the warrants were related to allegations of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed between October 8, 2023, and May 20, 2024.
“The Chamber issued warrants of arrest for two individuals, Mr Benjamin Netanyahu and Mr Yoav Gallant, for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024, the day the Prosecution filed the applications for warrants of arrest,” the Hague-based ICC said in a statement on Thursday.
A warrant had also been issued for Deif, it added.
According to the ICC’s statement on Thursday, the arrest warrants, initially classified as secret, were made public to protect witnesses, ensure the integrity of the investigation, and inform victims and their families.
ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan had requested the warrants earlier this year, citing ongoing violations related to the Gaza conflict.
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“However, the Chamber decided to release the information below since conduct similar to that addressed in the warrant of arrest appears to be ongoing,” the tribunal said. “Moreover, the Chamber considers it to be in the interest of victims and their families that they are made aware of the warrants’ existence.”
The arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court accuse both Netanyahu and Gallant of being complicit in crimes tied to Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Meanwhile, Deif is wanted for his pivotal role in directing Hamas’s operations during the same period.
The ICC further clarified that similar actions, such as those outlined in the warrants, are still continuing in the region, highlighting the ongoing nature of the alleged offenses.
The hostilities erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a sweeping attack on Israel, resulting in the tragic loss of over 1,200 lives, the majority of whom were civilians. In retaliation, Israel quickly mobilized its military forces, initiating a series of operations in Gaza in an attempt to neutralize the threat.
More than 44,000 individuals have died, and over 100,000 have been injured in Gaza, according to the health ministry operated by Hamas. This staggering toll is the result of the unyielding violence, which has persisted for more than 13 months, continuing to take a heavy toll on civilians in the region.
Initially, the ICC sought an arrest warrant for Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, but this request was rescinded following his death in Tehran on July 31. As for Deif, despite reports suggesting he was killed in a July 13 airstrike, Hamas has vehemently denied these claims, leaving his death unconfirmed.
