Jerusalem: The Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Thursday described the International Criminal Court's (ICC) issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant as an "important" step toward ensuring justice in the Palestine-Israel conflict. Balkees Jarrah, HRW's associate international justice director, welcomed the decision, saying it challenges the notion that some individuals are beyond accountability. According to Anadolu Agency, Jarrah stated that the ICC arrest warrants against senior Israeli leaders and a Hamas official break through the perception that certain individuals are beyond the reach of the law. In her statement, she emphasized the need for the international community to support the ICC in fulfilling its mandate and called for impartial backing for justice. Jarrah further highlighted that the effectiveness of the ICC in delivering on its mandate will depend on governments' willingness to support justice, irrespective of where abuses are com mitted and by whom. She urged global leaders to seize this opportunity to address atrocities in the region and secure justice for all victims in Palestine and Israel. The warrants have been issued as Israel's offensive in Gaza recently entered its second year, leading to the deaths of approximately 44,000 Palestinians, most of whom are women and children. The ongoing conflict has resulted in the displacement of almost the entire population of the territory. The deliberate blockade imposed by Israel has caused severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, pushing the population to the brink of starvation.