ICC rejects 'Israel’s' bid to block Gaza probe; maintains warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant

• ICC rejects 'Israel’s' challenge, allowing Gaza war crimes investigation to continue.
• Arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant remain in place for alleged war crimes.

The appeals chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday rejected 'Israel’s' legal challenge seeking to block an investigation into its military actions in Gaza, allowing the court to continue probing alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The decision upholds a lower court ruling permitting the ICC prosecutor to investigate 'Israel’s' conduct following the October 7, 2023 events. The ruling also keeps in place arrest warrants issued in November last year for 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Judges ruled that a new notification to 'Israel' was unnecessary, as the 2021 ICC investigation into alleged crimes in occupied Palestine already covers events that occurred after October 7, 2023. 'Israel' had argued that later attacks constituted a “new situation,” citing additional referrals by seven countries, including South Africa, Chile, and Mexico.

The ICC has previously issued, and later withdrawn, arrest warrants for Hamas leaders following credible reports of their deaths.

'Israel' has consistently denied committing war crimes and does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction, arguing that its military campaign, aimed at rescuing captives, defeating Hamas, and preventing future threats from Gaza, complied with international law. The Foreign Ministry denounced the ICC decision as “politics in the guise of international law” and accused the court of disregarding the sovereign rights of non-party states.

The ongoing genocide has taken a devastating toll. Since a ceasefire on October 11, 2025, at least 391 Palestinians have been killed and more than 1,063 injured in Gaza, with 632 bodies recovered. Since October 7, 2023, Gaza’s Ministry of Health reports over 70,663 Palestinians killed and 171,139 injured.

The ICC ruling affirms the continuation of its investigation into allegations that Netanyahu and Gallant may have committed war crimes, including restricting humanitarian aid and intentionally targeting civilians. The court’s probe reinforces accountability amid 'Israel’s' ongoing military operations in Gaza and the West Bank.

The decision comes as the ICC faces challenges of its own, including U.S. sanctions against staff following the issuance of warrants, and a leadership crisis after Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan stepped aside amid an internal investigation into allegations he denies.

The ruling marks a critical moment for international justice, maintaining scrutiny over alleged violations in Gaza while reaffirming the ICC’s mandate to hold individuals accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity.