ICC rejects Israel's bid to withdraw arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant

Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have rejected Israel’s request to withdraw arrest warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, reaffirming that the warrants will remain in effect while the court considers broader questions of jurisdiction.

In a decision published July 16 on the ICC’s website, the court also dismissed a separate Israeli request to suspend the wider investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Palestinian Territories during the Gaza conflict, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The warrants, initially issued on November 21, 2024, accuse Netanyahu and Gallant of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza. A third warrant had also been issued for Hamas commander Ibrahim al-Masri (also known as Mohammed Deif), but was rescinded in February after the court received credible reports of his death.

Israel has staunchly denied all allegations and contests the ICC’s jurisdiction, insisting that the court has no legal standing over its actions in Gaza. It argues that an April ruling by the ICC’s appeals chamber—ordering a review of Israel’s jurisdictional objections—nullifies the legal basis for the arrest warrants.

However, the judges dismissed that argument on July 16, declaring that the jurisdictional review is still pending and that the warrants will remain valid until the court rules specifically on the matter. No timeline has been provided for a final decision on jurisdiction.

The case has deepened tensions between the ICC and Israel's allies. In June, the United States imposed unprecedented sanctions on four ICC judges in response to the court’s actions against Netanyahu. Notably, two of those judges were part of the panel that rejected Israel’s request this week.

By Vugar Khalilov