ICC prosecutors oppose Israel's bid to lift Netanyahu arrest warrants

In the Hague, Netherlands, on May 22, 2025, the International Criminal Court (ICC) faced a critical moment regarding arrest warrants issued for Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, and Yoav Gallant, the former defense minister. These arrest warrants were initially issued in November 2023 after judges determined that there was credible evidence suggesting that Netanyahu and Gallant had utilized starvation tactics in warfare by obstructing humanitarian aid and intentionally targeting civilians during Israel's offensive against Hamas in Gaza. Israeli officials have categorically denied these charges, asserting their stance that the ICC does not hold jurisdiction over their actions, primarily because Israel is not a member of the court and maintains that it has never acknowledged the court's authority to prosecute Israeli nationals. The ICC prosecution, led by Karim Khan—who has temporarily stepped down due to an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct—has conveyed a robust message to the ICC judges. The prosecutors filed a 10-page written submission urging them to dismiss Israel's challenge against the warrants. The ICC's court system has indicated that the underlying investigations into potential crimes occurring in both Gaza and the West Bank need to persist, given the ongoing nature of the alleged crimes. The ICC has recognized