Arrest Warrants
Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader Ibrahim Al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif.
The warrants stem from allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity connected to the conflict between Hamas and Israel, particularly the attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, and Israel’s subsequent military response in Gaza.
The ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan, had previously announced his intention to seek arrest warrants in May 2023, based on the events surrounding the deadly conflict.
According to the ICC, the charges include the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare, as well as crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts.
These allegations concern both Israeli actions in Gaza and the broader scope of the ongoing violence in the region. The court’s decision to issue the warrants was made with the aim of serving the interests of victims and their families, who have borne the brunt of the violence.
The warrants were issued despite Israel’s rejection of the ICC’s jurisdiction, as the country has consistently refused to recognize the court’s authority over its actions.
In response, Israel has denied committing any war crimes in Gaza and has argued that the ICC’s legal actions are politically motivated.
The Israeli government has also maintained that the Hamas leader, Al-Masri, was killed in an airstrike, though Hamas has not confirmed or denied his death.
The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with at least 44,056 Palestinians killed and more than 100,000 wounded since the attacks in October 2023.
This has led to widespread humanitarian concerns, including shortages of food, water, and medical supplies in Gaza.
Lebanon’s Hezbollah, also supported by Iran, has been involved in cross-border exchanges with Israel, which have escalated the violence in the region.
The arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant also come amid political turmoil in Israel, with Netanyahu dismissing his Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over a breakdown in trust during the Gaza conflict.
This internal strife within the Israeli government adds to the growing international pressure on Israel regarding its military operations in Gaza.
Pakistan, meanwhile, expressed its disappointment at the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) failure to reach a consensus on a ceasefire in Gaza.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, reiterated the call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, along with unhindered access to humanitarian aid for the Gaza population.
The failure to pass a ceasefire resolution came after the United States vetoed the resolution, the only member of the 15-member UNSC to do so.
The conflict continues to cause immense suffering, with bombings in northern Gaza this month leaving many casualties, further intensifying the humanitarian crisis.
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