AMSTERDAM, Nov 21 (Reuters) – The International Criminal Court (ICC) has released arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former defense chief Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader Ibrahim Al-Masri, citing accusations of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

This action follows the ICC prosecutor Karim Khan’s announcement on May 20, which indicated he was pursuing arrest warrants linked to the attacks by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, and Israel’s military response in Gaza.

The ICC specified that Israel’s recognition of the court’s authority was not a prerequisite for the charges.

Israel has dismissed the court’s authority and refutes the allegations of war crimes in Gaza, claiming its forces killed Al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif, in an airstrike, although Hamas has not confirmed or contested this information.