Live Updates: Israel-Gaza, ICC issues arrest warrant for Netanyahu

Several humanitarian agencies warned that the international community must follow a decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes committed in Gaza.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) warned that the “important” announcement depends on “governments’ willingness to support justice.”

“The ICC’s arrest warrants against senior Israeli leaders and a Hamas official shatter the perception that certain individuals are beyond the reach of the law,” said Balkees Jarrah, an associate international justice director at HRW.

“These rulings should finally push the international community to address atrocities and ensure justice for all victims in Palestine and Israel.”

The Supreme Criminal Court on Thursday released arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, charging them with war crimes during Israel’s 13-month assault on Gaza following the October 7 Hamas-led attacks.

Following the announcement, the UN Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, said Human rights leaders “must work together to keep the flame of accountability burning,” in a post on X.

The Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem called on “all states parties” to respect the decision and “enforce the rulings.”

“Personal accountability for decision-makers is a key element in the fight for justice and freedom,” B’Tselem said Thursday. “The policies of the Israeli government have resulted in tens of thousands of civilians killed, hundreds of thousands of civilians starved, and millions of terrible suffering.”

British NGO Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) said the ICC’s announcement “must be a turning point for Gaza and the wider region.”

“Israel’s ongoing violations against Palestinians have been fueled by decades of impunity, and the attacks on Gaza in the past year have destroyed the health system and caused enormous civilian suffering,” MAP said in a statement to CNN.

“Palestinians can no longer wait for justice and protection under the law, and Britain must not be an ally of atrocities.”

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office responded to the ICC’s decision, saying: “Israel completely rejects the absurd and false actions and accusations against it by the International Criminal Court, which is a politically biased and discriminatory body.”