ICC Targets Netanyahu and Hamas Leaders in Landmark War Crimes Case

In a historic move, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has announced it is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and senior Hamas leaders including Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh. The charges stem from alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.

ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan said the warrants were requested after months of investigation into indiscriminate violence, the targeting of civilians, and the use of starvation and siege tactics.

> “The law must apply equally to all, no matter how powerful,” Khan stated in a press briefing.

The dual pursuit of leaders from both a state and a non-state actor marks a precedent-setting moment in international law. While the ICC claims jurisdiction based on Palestine’s membership, Israel has rejected the court’s authority, labelling the move as politically biased.

Meanwhile, global reactions are deeply divided. Human rights groups welcomed the announcement as a “long overdue step toward justice,” while U.S. and Israeli officials have condemned it as dangerous and destabilising.

With tensions in the region still high, the move raises profound questions about international justice and the limits of accountability in modern warfare.