ICC rejects request to quash arrest warrant for Netanyahu

The International Criminal Court rejected the appeal filed by Israel to overturn two arrest warrants it had issued against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant.

The Israeli request came days after the signing of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, reflecting an attempt by Israel to use the pause in fighting to evade the consequences of the genocide its forces committed in Gaza.

Israel had asked the court in May to cancel the arrest warrants, and on July 16 the court rejected the Israeli request, finding that “there is no legal basis” to cancel the two arrest warrants until the question of jurisdiction is decided. A week later, Israel sought to appeal the ruling, but the judges ruled on Friday that “the case, as framed by Israel, is not appealable”.