The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of weaponizing starvation and committing crimes against humanity in Gaza.
In a groundbreaking decision, the ICC found "reasonable grounds" that both leaders knowingly orchestrated the deprivation of essential supplies to Gaza's civilian population.
The court detailed how restricted access to food, water, fuel, and medical supplies created catastrophic humanitarian conditions, leading to civilian deaths from malnutrition and dehydration.
According to the ICC, they were specifically concerned about evidence proving that that surgeries were performed without anesthesia due to medical supply restrictions.
The ICC claimed that even when humanitarian aid was permitted, it was deliberately insufficient and often used as a bargaining tool, disregarding urgent international warnings about the deteriorating situation.
Israel's September challenge to the court's jurisdiction was firmly rejected. The pre-trial chamber ruled that Israel's consent isn't necessary, as the court can exercise jurisdiction based on Palestine's territorial status - a significant legal precedent that strengthens the ICC's authority in the region.
Yaron Abraham said, "The arrest warrant is a massive blow to Israel, not just Netanyahu. The PM [is now] essentially a pariah leader worldwide. He might not even be able to speak at the UN, as the Assembly typically doesn't invite people with arrest warrants - despite the UN being in New York, US, which isn't a signatory to the court's founding treaty."
Any country that's signed the Rome Statute is obligated to arrest them if they enter its territory.
The key regions which are affected by the ICC's decision are:
Europe: All major EU countries including France, Germany, UK, and Spain. Notable access points like Switzerland and most transit hubs are included.
Americas: Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and most South American nations. Although the US is absent, key allies are bound by the treaty.
Asia-Pacific: Major allies like Australia, Japan, and South Korea are signatories. Most Southeast Asian nations are not included.
Africa: Most of the continent is bound by the treaty, including South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria.
This effectively restricts Netanyahu and Gallant's travel to about 124 countries, including major diplomatic destinations. While they can still visit non-signatory nations like the US and India, this severely limits their international mobility and diplomatic reach.
JPost contributed to this article.
