The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday issued warrants for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense chief, as well as a Hamas leader, Ibrahim Al-Masri for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The move came after the ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan announced on May 20 that he was seeking arrest warrants for alleged crimes connected to the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel by Hamas and the Israeli military response in Gaza.

In issuing the warrant. ICC said Israel’s acceptance of the court’s jurisdiction was not required.

Israel has rejected the jurisdiction of the Hague-based court and denies war crimes in Gaza.

Israel said it has killed Al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif, in an airstrike but Hamas has neither confirmed nor denied the killing of its kingpin.

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