Israel has appealed the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as the death toll in Gaza approaches 45,000, according to Palestinian health authorities.
The ICC warrants accuse Netanyahu and Gallant of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including “the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare” and “murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts.” Israel, which is not a member of the ICC, rejected the accusations as unfounded. Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein said Sunday that Israel “categorically rejects the baseless accusations” and vowed to defend its actions.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes on Gaza killed at least 26 people on Sunday, including 16 at a school sheltering displaced Palestinians in the north. This followed a wave of strikes on Saturday that left 49 dead, including women, children, and a two-day-old infant.
Palestinian health officials said the humanitarian situation is worsening, with the accumulation of bodies in the streets creating a public health crisis. Mohammed Abu Afash, director of Palestinian Medical Relief, described the conditions as an “environmental disaster,” warning of stray animals scavenging remains. Limited medical supplies and fuel, delivered by the World Health Organization, have failed to address the growing needs amid the ongoing siege.
Tensions are also rising in the Israeli-occupied West Bank after violent clashes in the city of Jenin between Palestinian Authority forces and local militants. At least one person was killed, and the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) temporarily suspended services in Jenin Camp due to the unrest, leaving residents without access to schools, healthcare, and other essential services. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini called on all parties to uphold international law and protect civilians.
Israel’s government has further approved plans to expand settlements in the occupied Golan Heights, allocating over $11 million to double the population in the area, which was seized from Syria in 1967. Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed the plan a day after speaking with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump about regional issues in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and the threat posed by Iran.
Diplomatic relations have continued to fray as Israel announced the closure of Ireland’s embassy in response to what Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called “extreme anti-Israel policies.” The move follows Ireland’s call for the International Court of Justice to broaden its definition of genocide, accusing Israel of collective punishment in Gaza.
The siege of Gaza, now in its 15th month, was triggered by the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and resulted in approximately 250 hostages being taken. Since then, nearly 45,000 people in Gaza have been killed, the majority of them women and children. Health officials report that over 105,000 people have been injured, with many still trapped under rubble.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, international scrutiny of Israel’s actions continues to grow. The escalating death toll and worsening conditions in Gaza have sparked widespread condemnation, with aid agencies warning that critical supplies remain insufficient to meet the dire needs of the population.
