Israel Kills Two Hamas Commanders as International Criminal Court Issues Arrest Warrants
Global Reactions to ICC Decision
Jerusalem: Israel’s military said on Friday it had killed two commanders involved in Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, pressing its north Gaza offensive a day after the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants over the war.
With Israel also fighting Hamas ally Hezbollah in Lebanon, live AFPTV footage showed several strikes early Friday on Beirut’s southern suburbs, where the Iran-backed group holds sway.
International Criminal Court’s Decision
The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoav Gallant may bear "criminal responsibility" for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare and other crimes against humanity against Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.
The Hague-based court’s decision drew mixed reactions from world leaders, with some vowing to arrest the Israelis if they entered their country’s territory. Other leaders, including US President Joe Biden, have condemned the court’s decision, which Netanyahu dismissed as "absurd" and "driven by anti-Semitic hatred of Israel".
Ground Situation in Gaza
On the ground in Gaza, the military said an air strike on the territory’s north killed five Hamas militants, including two company commanders "who participated in the October 7 massacre" last year. Medics said dozens were killed or missing after an overnight Israeli raid on Beit Lahia and nearby Jabalia, which are among the targets of a sweeping Israeli assault on north Gaza.
International Community’s Response
Biden, in a statement responding to the ICC’s arrest warrants, called them "outrageous", vowing to "always stand with Israel against threats to its security". China, which like Israel and the United States is not a member of the ICC, urged the court to "uphold an objective and just position".
Palestinian Authority and Hamas
The ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas’s military chief Mohammed Deif, accusing him of responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity over the attack on Israel that sparked the war, as well as "sexual and gender-based violence" against hostages. Israel said it killed Deif in July, but Hamas has not confirmed his death.
The Palestinian Authority and Hamas both welcomed the warrants — though without mentioning Deif. Iran, which backs Hamas, Hezbollah, and other armed groups in the region, praised the arrest warrants against the Israeli leaders.
Hezbollah and Lebanon
Israel is also fighting Hezbollah in Lebanon, with live AFPTV footage showing plumes of smoke rising over south Beirut after the Israeli military called for the evacuation of three locations, warning on social media of imminent attacks. The military later said in a statement its "fighter jets completed a new round of strikes" on Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Conclusion
The situation in Gaza and Lebanon remains volatile, with no end in sight to the conflict. The ICC’s decision has sparked a mix of reactions from world leaders, with some vowing to arrest Israeli leaders if they enter their country’s territory. The situation will continue to unfold in the coming days and weeks, with the international community closely watching the developments.
FAQs
Q: What is the current situation in Gaza and Lebanon?
A: Israel is currently engaged in a military conflict with Hamas in Gaza, and with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Q: What did the International Criminal Court (ICC) decide?
A: The ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Q: How did world leaders react to the ICC’s decision?
A: Some world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, condemned the court’s decision, while others, such as China, urged the court to "uphold an objective and just position".
Q: What is the current death toll in Gaza and Lebanon?
A: According to the Hamas-ruled territory’s health ministry, at least 44,056 people have been killed in Gaza in more than 13 months of war. In Lebanon, at least 3,583 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since October 2023.