The Hague: The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The ICC alleges that Netanyahu and Gallant committed crimes such as murder, persecution, and inhumane acts, as well as using starvation as a method of warfare.

The Israeli leaders are accused of restricting essential supplies, including food, water, and medical aid, to civilians in Gaza, resulting in severe humanitarian crises and deaths, including those of children.

These alleged actions occurred during Israel's retaliatory attacks on Gaza following the Hamas attack on October 7 last year. The conflict has led to thousands of civilian deaths and widespread displacement, with critical infrastructure in Gaza, such as hospitals and schools, being destroyed.

The ICC stated it had reasonable grounds to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant intentionally targeted civilians and restricted medical supplies, leading to unsafe medical procedures and immense suffering. The findings focus on events from October 8, 2023, to at least May 20, 2024.

"The Chamber assessed that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Gallant bear criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population of Gaza," the court said.

The court highlighted that the lack of basic necessities, including food, water, electricity, fuel, and medical supplies, created conditions intended to destroy part of Gaza's civilian population, resulting in deaths from malnutrition and dehydration, particularly among children.

Israel contested the ICC's jurisdiction, arguing that it could not be exercised without Israel’s consent. However, the ICC ruled that its jurisdiction is valid based on Palestine’s territorial claims, which include Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.

The court also dismissed Israel's request for a fresh notification regarding the investigation, which began in 2021, noting that Israel had declined to seek a deferral when initially notified.

The ICC’s decision marks a significant development in its investigation into alleged war crimes in the State of Palestine.