The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

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The Hague-based court has also issued arrest warrants for Hamas military chief Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri.

Deif and the Israeli leaders are charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity for atrocities committed since October 7 last year.

The court said in a statement that the arrest warrants were issued for Benjamin Netanyahu and Gallant for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed between October 8, 2023, and May 20, 2024.

The court cited the ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza and the continued detention of Israeli prisoners by Hamas.

The statement added that there are "reasonable grounds" to believe that Gallant and Netanyahu "intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population of Gaza of essential items for their survival," such as food, water, medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity.