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The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the war in the Gaza Strip, Axios reported.

The warrants mark the first time the United Nations court has issued warrants against the leader of a democratic country and a close ally of the United States, a move that could further isolate Israel internationally and intensify calls for an end to the conflict.

The ICC judges announced there were “reasonable grounds to believe” that Netanyahu and Gallant “intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medical supplies,” from October 2023 to May 2024. They alleged that these restrictions disrupted the delivery of aid, caused widespread malnutrition, and forced doctors to perform surgeries without anesthetics.

Netanyahu and Gallant were also accused of failing to prevent attacks that targeted civilians.

Netanyahu’s office rejected the accusations as “false and absurd,” calling the ICC a “biased and discriminatory political body.” It accused ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan – who is currently under investigation on an allegation of sexual harassment – of trying to deflect attention with the warrants.

The international tribunal also issued an arrest warrant for Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas’s military wing, accusing him of crimes that included murder, torture, and rape during Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023 assault on Israel. That attack killed around 1,200 people and saw more than 250 others taken hostage.

Deif, whom Israel claims to have killed in a July airstrike, is accused of overseeing crimes against humanity, including extermination, sexual violence, and outrages upon personal dignity.

Hamas welcomed the decision as “a step toward justice,” but made no mention of Deif’s arrest warrant. The armed group has not confirmed whether the elusive commander is dead, CBS News noted.

Observers said the warrants mean that Netanyahu and Gallant risk arrest while traveling to any of the 124 countries that are party to the Rome Statute which established the ICC.

The Netherlands has indicated it is prepared to enforce the warrants, while US officials condemned the court’s actions.

Analysts suggested the ICC warrants could further isolate Israel diplomatically and further complicate relations with Western allies. They could also intensify domestic criticism of Netanyahu, who is accused of prioritizing political survival over humanitarian and security concerns.

Some Israelis are also furious that he has not done more to secure the release of the hostages.

Meanwhile, earlier this week, Netanyahu offered $5 million and safe passage to anyone returning a hostage, a move that drew backlash from victims’ families, CNN added.