ICC issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant and Hamas leader Deif

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military commander Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri, aka Mohammed Deif.

In a written statement on Thursday, the ICC said Netanyahu and Gallant are responsible for committing "the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts."

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said in September that it had submitted two legal briefs challenging the ICC's jurisdiction and arguing that the court did not provide Israel the opportunity to investigate the allegations itself before requesting the warrants.

The ICC said that "the acceptance by Israel of the Court's jurisdiction is not required."