The International Criminal Court (ICC), the world’s leading war-crimes tribunal, has issued arrest warrants for key figures involved in the Israel-Hamas conflict. 

The warrants target Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas' military chief Mohammed Deif, accusing them of crimes against humanity and war crimes amid the ongoing Gaza conflict.

The ICC has accused Netanyahu and Gallant of using “starvation as a method of warfare” by restricting humanitarian aid and targeting civilians during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. 

These charges stem from allegations of deliberate actions that caused widespread deprivation in Gaza, leading to malnutrition, lack of medical supplies, and suffering among the civilian population.

The court’s findings indicate that these actions created conditions designed to harm a significant portion of Gaza’s population. Judges noted specific cases where children suffered and died due to malnutrition and dehydration and where medical care was obstructed.

Netanyahu has fiercely rejected the ICC’s decision, calling it “absurd and false.” In a statement, he emphasized the justice of Israel's war in Gaza, asserting that the campaign was aimed at protecting Israeli citizens. Gallant echoed this sentiment, criticizing the court for undermining the principle of self-defense and accusing it of encouraging terrorism.

The ICC also issued a warrant for Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas' armed wing, for his involvement in the October 2023 attacks that killed over 1,200 Israelis and took more than 250 hostages. 

Deif faces accusations of murder, rape, torture, and taking hostages—actions classified as war crimes and crimes against humanity. While Israel claims to have killed Deif in an airstrike, Hamas has not confirmed his death.

The decision has sparked a wide range of reactions globally:

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• Human Rights Groups praised the ICC for holding individuals accountable. Human Rights Watch stated that the warrants challenge the notion that certain figures are beyond the reach of justice.
• Israeli Leaders across political lines denounced the ICC’s actions. New Defense Minister Israel Katz described the decision as a “moral disgrace tainted by antisemitism.”
• International Community: European leaders, including those in France, have expressed support for the ICC’s move. French officials signaled a willingness to detain Netanyahu if he enters French territory.

The warrants make Netanyahu, Gallant, and Deif internationally wanted individuals. However, enforcement may prove challenging. Neither Israel nor its ally, the United States, are members of the ICC, limiting the court’s jurisdiction. 

Netanyahu’s potential travel abroad now risks diplomatic complications, as ICC member states are obligated to detain suspects entering their territory.

The decision mirrors actions taken against other global leaders, such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, who remains wanted for alleged war crimes in Ukraine. However, enforcement of these warrants remains inconsistent, with some countries choosing not to act on ICC directives.

The warrants arrive in the midst of a devastating conflict in Gaza, where the death toll has exceeded 44,000, according to local health authorities. The Israeli campaign has caused massive displacement, with nearly the entire population of 2.3 million relying on humanitarian aid for survival. 

Critics argue that restrictions on aid exacerbate suffering and hinder recovery efforts. The ICC case is separate from a genocide accusation against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). 

In that case, South Africa has accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians—claims Israel has vehemently denied.