The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The ICC’s pre-trial chamber stated that there are “reasonable grounds” to believe all three men bear responsibility for atrocities committed during the conflict between Israel and Hamas. These include allegations of murder, persecution, torture, and the use of starvation as a weapon of war.

For Netanyahu and Gallant, the charges stem from Israel’s military response to Hamas’s deadly October 7, 2023, attack, which left 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 abducted to Gaza. Gaza’s Hamas-led health ministry reports over 44,000 deaths during Israel’s subsequent military campaign.

The ICC accuses Deif, Hamas’s military leader, of orchestrating crimes such as murder, extermination, rape, and hostage-taking during the initial attack. Despite Israel’s claim that Deif was killed in an airstrike in July, the ICC included him in the warrants.

Reactions

• Israel dismissed the ICC’s decision as “antisemitic” and reaffirmed its stance that the court lacks jurisdiction over the matter, as Israel is not a signatory to the ICC.
• Hamas hailed the warrants for Israeli leaders as a “historic precedent,” while rejecting the charges against its own commander.
• United States condemned the ICC’s actions, while European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called for respecting and implementing the court’s decisions.

The warrants raise questions about enforcement, as neither Israel nor Hamas recognize the ICC, and compliance depends on the court’s 124 member states. The development marks a pivotal moment in international law’s attempt to address the human toll of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

US President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Linda McMahon, co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and a long-time ally, as his pick for education secretary. Mehmet Oz, the celebrity doctor and former TV host, has been chosen to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

McMahon, who led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term, is known for her close ties to the president-elect. She has limited experience in education but has served on Connecticut’s state board of education and currently chairs the pro-Trump America First Policy Institute. Trump has tasked her with advancing his controversial plan to dismantle the Department of Education and return educational oversight to the states.

On Truth Social, Trump praised McMahon, highlighting her advocacy for parental rights and her commitment to decentralizing federal control over education. With a Republican-majority Senate, her confirmation is expected to proceed smoothly.

Dr. Oz’s appointment to CMS marks another headline-grabbing selection. Known for his television career and health advice, Oz’s approach has faced scrutiny from medical professionals in the past. His role will involve overseeing critical federal healthcare programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, which serve millions of Americans.

Trump also announced Howard Lutnick, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, as his pick for commerce secretary, underscoring a pattern of selecting loyal allies and high-profile figures for his administration.

Jimmy Lai, the 76-year-old pro-democracy advocate and founder of Hong Kong’s now-shuttered Apple Daily, has denied allegations of collusion with foreign forces during his first testimony in a national security trial that could result in a life sentence.

Facing accusations tied to his foreign contacts, including former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Taiwan’s ex-President Tsai Ing-wen, Lai firmly stated in court on Wednesday, “Never.”

Dressed in a brown jacket and glasses, Lai appeared in good spirits despite visibly losing weight since his arrest. Smiling and waving to supporters outside the courtroom, he received warm encouragement from dozens of well-wishers who queued to show their solidarity.

When questioned about his interactions with international figures, Lai said his meetings were purely informational. Regarding a meeting with Pence, Lai stated, “I would just relay to him what happened in Hong Kong when he asked me.” As for then U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, he explained that he asked Pompeo “not to do something but to say something, to voice support for Hong Kong.”

Lai is already serving multiple sentences for his alleged role in the 2019 pro-democracy protests that prompted Beijing to implement the sweeping National Security Law (NSL). His trial follows the sentencing of 45 activists from the “Hong Kong 47” group earlier this week, including prominent figures Benny Tai and Joshua Wong.