The International Criminal Court prosecutor has requested arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza. Here are some key facts about Yoav Gallant:
Gallant, 65, is a member of Netanyahu’s war cabinet and the conservative Likud party. He started his military career as a navy frogman and rose to become one of the top commanders in the military.
Last year, Gallant clashed with Netanyahu over plans to curb the power of the judiciary. Despite being sacked by the prime minister, he was reinstated after massive protests by Israelis.
After Hamas’ attack on southern Israel, Gallant warned that Gaza would face severe consequences. He advocated for a total blockade on food and fuel imports as part of the battle against Hamas.
Gallant emphasized the need for military pressure to destroy Hamas and free hostages during the conflict with Gaza. However, he expressed frustration over the lack of post-war plans for Gaza and challenged Netanyahu on the issue.
He proposed a plan for a new Palestinian administration not linked to Hamas but received no response from Israeli cabinet forums. Gallant has been wearing only black since the conflict began, expressing his deep concern for the hostages in Gaza.
As the situation continues to unfold, the world watches closely as the ICC considers the arrest warrants for Gallant and Netanyahu. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.