Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday rejected Israel’s latest appeal seeking to halt investigations into alleged war crimes in the Gaza Strip. The ruling confirms that judicial proceedings, including arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, remain in effect.
The Appeals Chamber upheld an earlier decision by the Pre‑Trial Chamber, which found no “new situation” requiring the prosecutor to restart proceedings or issue fresh notification to Israel.
In practice, this means the investigation continues to cover crimes committed since 2014, including those linked to the genocide in Gaza.
The decision leaves intact arrest warrants issued in November 2024 against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan has accused them of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including “the use of starvation as a method of warfare, persecution, and intentional killing.”
Israel has rejected the ICC’s jurisdiction, insisting it is not bound by the court’s rulings. Netanyahu denounced the warrants as “outrageous,” while Gallant described them as “a disgrace.”
The ICC, however, has emphasized that international law applies equally to all parties, regardless of political office.
The court has also pursued warrants against Hamas leaders, though some were later withdrawn following reports of their deaths. “Our mandate is to investigate impartially, wherever the evidence leads,” Khan said earlier this year, stressing that accountability must apply to both sides of the conflict.
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Human rights organizations welcomed the appeals ruling. Amnesty International said it “reinforces the principle that no one is above the law,” while Human Rights Watch urged governments to cooperate with the ICC in enforcing the warrants.
South Africa, Chile, and Mexico have already referred the Gaza situation to the court, underscoring growing international support for accountability.
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The ruling comes amid intensifying global concern over the humanitarian toll of Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that more than 70,600 Palestinians have been killed and 171,100 injured since October 2023, the majority women and children. Many victims remain trapped under rubble, with rescue efforts hampered by Israel’s blockade on heavy equipment.
For Palestinians, the ICC’s decision represents a rare affirmation of their right to pursue justice through international mechanisms. For Israel, it marks a significant legal setback, as repeated attempts to invalidate the investigation have failed.
