ICC appeals chamber rejects Israel’s bid to block Gaza genocide probe
ICC judges refused to overturn a lower court ruling that allows the court’s prosecutor to investigate alleged crimes linked to Israel’s military assault on Gaza
THE HAGUE (MNTV) — The appeals chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has rejected an Israeli legal challenge seeking to halt an investigation into crimes committed during Israel’s genocide in Gaza, dealing a blow to efforts by Israeli authorities to derail the case.
In a decision issued Monday, ICC judges refused to overturn a lower court ruling that allows the court’s prosecutor to investigate alleged crimes linked to Israel’s military assault on Gaza.
The ruling clears the way for the continuation of the ICC’s Palestine investigation, which in November last year resulted in the issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Israel does not recognize the jurisdiction of the Hague-based court and has repeatedly denied committing war crimes in Gaza.
The ICC had also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas leader Ibrahim al-Masri, but later withdrew it after receiving credible reports of his death.
Israel’s appeal centered on whether the ICC prosecutor was required to issue a fresh notification before investigating events that took place after Oct. 7, 2023.
Israeli authorities argued that the post–Oct. 7 assault on Gaza constituted a new legal situation, triggered by additional referrals submitted to the court by seven countries since November 2023, including South Africa, Chile and Mexico.
The judges rejected that argument, ruling that the original notification issued in 2021 — when the ICC formally opened its investigation into alleged crimes in the occupied Palestinian territories — already covers later developments.
As a result, the court found that no new notification was required and that the arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant remain in force.
The decision comes as Israel’s assault on Gaza continues to exact a heavy toll.
According to Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza, since a ceasefire took effect on Oct. 11, 2025, at least 391 Palestinians have been killed, 1,063 wounded and 632 bodies recovered.
Since Oct. 7, 2023, the ministry says at least 70,663 Palestinians have been killed and 171,139 injured in Gaza.
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