THE HAGUE (Palestine Foundation Information Center) The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced on Thursday its rejection of Israel’s request to suspend the execution of arrest warrants issued against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former army minister Yoav Gallant, affirming that legal proceedings will continue without change.
In a press statement, the Court declared: “We reject Israel’s request to suspend the execution of the arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant, as well as any subsequent legal measures.”
The Court emphasized that “Israel’s acceptance of the Court’s jurisdiction is not a prerequisite for continuing investigations.”
The statement added that “investigations indicate that Netanyahu and Gallant oversaw attacks targeting the civilian population and used starvation as a method of warfare.” Other charges include murder, persecution, and the commission of inhumane acts.
It confirmed that “publishing the arrest warrants is part of transparency and serves the interests of the victims,” adding that judicial proceedings would continue under the Rome Statute.
On 21 November 2024, the Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed against Palestinians in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Israeli occupation forces continued their campaign of killing, destruction, and blockade against the Gaza Strip for the 38th consecutive day, amid Arab and international silence and unwavering US support, both militarily and politically.
According to Palestinian medical sources, 61 civilians have been killed in ongoing Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip since early Thursday morning, including 46 who were killed in Gaza City and the northern region.
The death toll from Israel’s ongoing military assault on Gaza, which began on 7 October 2023, has now risen to 51,355, with 117,248 others wounded, many critically or severely, the majority being women and children, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
