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International Desk //

Arrest warrants have been issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber 1 said that Netanyahu and Gallant have been charged with “the crime of starvation as a method of warfare” and “crimes against humanity for murder, torture and other inhumane acts.”

Under the Rome Statute, ICC member states are obliged to arrest and hand over the two leaders to the court. However, the ICC cannot initiate proceedings in absentia and does not have its own enforcement powers.

The charges against Netanyahu and Gallant are as follows:

War Crimes: Starvation

The ICC said Netanyahu and Gallant deliberately deprived the people of Gaza of food, water, medicine, fuel and electricity. They disrupted humanitarian aid and hindered the delivery of aid by organizations.

The ICC also said that decisions to stop this aid were often relaxed at the request of the United States or international pressure. But these decisions were never accepted under international human rights law.

The ICC noted that “the prolonged deprivation and Netanyahu’s statements, which linked humanitarian aid to the objectives of the war, indicate responsibility for war crimes.”

Crimes against humanity: Murder

Deaths have occurred in Gaza due to the lack of food, water and other essential goods, including deaths of children from malnutrition and dehydration.

The ICC said, ‘These conditions and circumstances were deliberately created to destroy a population’.

Crimes against humanity: Torture and inhumane acts

Netanyahu and Gallant are responsible for the lack of medical equipment in Gaza, such as anesthesia and limited surgical machines. As a result, doctors are forced to operate on patients without anesthesia.

According to the ICC, this is a gross ‘inhumane act and a crime of torture’.

Ordering attacks on civilians-

The ICC said that Netanyahu and Gallant deliberately ordered attacks on the civilian population in Gaza. They took no steps to prevent such crimes or transfer responsibility to the relevant authorities.

The ICC charges also say that Netanyahu and Gallant grossly abused their power and committed human rights violations against the people of Gaza. Proceedings are underway to start a trial against them at the International Criminal Court. Source: Middle East Eye