(5MinNewsBreak.com) – In a highly controversial move, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has just issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Although the ICC cited alleged war crimes in Gaza, the move has been described as an attempt to undermine Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas terrorists and protect its citizens.
ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan requested these warrants in May, alongside warrants for three top Hamas officials.
The court accuses Netanyahu and Gallant of using starvation as a weapon and intentionally attacking civilians in Gaza, allegations that Israel firmly denies.
Israel, which is a staunch U.S. ally and the only democracy in the Middle East, maintains that it complies with international war laws.
The Netanyahu administration has criticized the ICC’s decision, while Israeli leaders have condemned the court’s actions as baseless and politically motivated.
Importantly, Israel is not a member of the ICC and does not recognize its jurisdiction. This means Netanyahu and Gallant face no risk of arrest in Israel.
However, the warrants could potentially limit their travel to ICC member nations, further isolating Israel on the world stage.
The timing of these arrest warrants is particularly suspicious, coming as Netanyahu met with a U.S. official advocating for a cease-fire with Hezbollah.
While the ICC targets Israel’s leaders, it also issued a warrant for Hamas military chief Muhammad Deif for crimes against humanity, including murder and hostage-taking.
However, this gesture does little to balance the scales in a region where Israel faces constant existential threats.
According to Hamas, the death toll in Gaza has reportedly surpassed 44,000, including many children after Israel’s offensive following the October 7 Hamas-led attacks.
However, it is crucial to remember that Hamas intentionally uses civilians as human shields, a war crime that the ICC seemingly overlooked.
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