ICC issues arrest warrant for Netanyahu's alleged war crimes

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Joab Gallant on charges of war crimes on the 21st local time.

"The court has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Galant for crimes against humanity and war committed from October 8 last year to May 20, the day prosecutors sought the warrants," the ICC said in a statement.

The ICC also added that it does not accept Israel's claim that the ICC has no jurisdiction over it.

Earlier in May, ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan requested an arrest warrant for Netanyahu and the Palestinian militant Hamas leadership on war crimes, and Israel and the United States strongly protested at the time.

Israel has denied allegations of committing war crimes in Gaza, arguing that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the war in Gaza.

The ICC also issued a warrant for the arrest of Muhammad Daif, commander of the Hamas militant al-Qassam brigade.

Daif was reportedly killed in the airstrike, but Hamas did not confirm it.