By Hosea Parah, Abuja

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes related to Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The ICC cited “reasonable grounds” to believe that both leaders are responsible for the deaths and suffering of Palestinian civilians. Importantly, the court stated that Israel’s consent is not required for its jurisdiction, increasing diplomatic and legal pressure on the Israeli government.

This move comes on the 412th day of the ongoing conflict, which Palestinian representatives have condemned as an “ongoing, horrific, vindictive, televised massacre.” Despite the mounting casualties and widespread destruction, the United States has once again blocked a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire—marking the fourth U.S. veto on the matter. This action has drawn sharp criticism, with many accusing Washington of complicity in the violence by continuing its support for Israel.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels. As of November 19, the death toll stood at 43,972, with 104,008 injured, mostly women and children. Over 10,000 individuals remain missing, buried under the rubble of the densely populated region. Food, water, medical supplies, and shelter are in critical shortage, and conditions are worsening rapidly.

“Approximately 12,000 individuals urgently need evacuation for life-saving treatment,” said Abdullah M. Abu Shawesh, Palestine’s Ambassador to Nigeria. “However, Israeli measures continue to block these evacuations, condemning the most vulnerable to suffering and death without access to care.”

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that between 65,000 and 75,000 Palestinians remain trapped in northern Gaza under what is described as “inhuman” conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also raised alarms about Israeli obstacles to medical facilities in northern Gaza, including Kamal Adwan and Al Awda hospitals.

Meanwhile, the situation in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem is equally dire. Over 700 Palestinians have been killed, and more than 11,700 people are currently detained—among them 10,000 administrative detainees, including 765 children and 435 women. This marks a sharp increase from the roughly 5,250 detainees before the violence erupted on October 7.

Palestinian sources report that at least 43 prisoners have died in Israeli custody over the past 13 months, due to torture, medical neglect, and poor conditions. This has fueled calls for greater accountability regarding Israel’s treatment of detainees.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reported that at least 14,000 Palestinian children have been killed in the conflict, with many others injured. UNICEF has warned that the trauma experienced by all children in Gaza will have lasting psychological effects, potentially shaping the lives of future generations.

“All of Gaza’s children have lived through the horrors of war,” said a UNICEF spokesperson. “The psychological scars of this conflict will last for generations.”

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has condemned Israel’s widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, including homes, schools, and hospitals, and raised concerns over the forced displacement of Palestinians due to the creation of buffer zones. HRW has called for the prosecution of those responsible, alleging violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

The international community remains sharply divided on how to address the crisis. While the United States has repeatedly blocked UN Security Council resolutions calling for a ceasefire, Palestinian officials and human rights groups continue to demand urgent intervention and accountability.

Abdullah M. Abu Shawesh, the Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria, criticized the U.S. for its vetoes, stating, “The U.S. continues to block efforts to end the war, and with each veto, their hands become further stained with Palestinian blood. The world cannot remain silent as an entire population is systematically wiped out.”

The ICC’s arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant mark a significant step toward accountability, but the road to peace remains uncertain. As the violence intensifies, the international community faces a pressing challenge to end the bloodshed and secure justice for Palestinian civilians.