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Ongoing story / Israel

The Israel-Hamas war: international legal cases and war-crimes allegations

Overview · reviewed November 12, 2026

The Gaza war led to cases against states at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), arrest warrants against individual leaders at the International Criminal Court (ICC), and investigations by UN bodies and rights groups. South Africa accused Israel of , while the issued warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders over alleged crimes. UN investigators and rights organisations separately reported and accused Israel of genocide.[1][2][3][4]

Read the timeline

Follow this story to see new developments when you return.

Coverage over time

Share of tracked outlets · monthly average of weekly shares (UTC)

Oct 2023: average weekly share 2% (left 1%, center 1%, right under 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksNov 2023: average weekly share under 1% (left under 1%, center under 1%, right under 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksDec 2023: average weekly share 3% (left 1%, center 2%, right under 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksJan 2024: average weekly share 12% (left 5%, center 5%, right 2%), from 5 of 5 weeksFeb 2024: average weekly share 3% (left 1%, center 1%, right 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksMar 2024: average weekly share under 1% (left 0%, center under 1%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksApr 2024: average weekly share 5% (left 2%, center 2%, right 1%), from 5 of 5 weeksMay 2024: average weekly share 11% (left 4%, center 5%, right 3%), from 4 of 4 weeksJun 2024: average weekly share 4% (left 2%, center 2%, right 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksJul 2024: average weekly share 2% (left 1%, center 1%, right under 1%), from 5 of 5 weeksAug 2024: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksSep 2024: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksOct 2024: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksNov 2024: average weekly share 8% (left 2%, center 3%, right 2%), from 4 of 4 weeksDec 2024: average weekly share 1% (left under 1%, center 1%, right under 1%), from 5 of 5 weeksJan 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksFeb 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksMar 2025: average weekly share 4% (left 1%, center 2%, right 1%), from 5 of 5 weeksApr 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksMay 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksJun 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksJul 2025: average weekly share 4% (left 1%, center 2%, right 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksAug 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksSep 2025: average weekly share 4% (left 2%, center 2%, right under 1%), from 5 of 5 weeksOct 2025: average weekly share 2% (left 1%, center 1%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksNov 2025: average weekly share 1% (left under 1%, center 1%, right under 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksDec 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksJan 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksFeb 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksMar 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksApr 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksMay 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksJun 2026: average weekly share under 1% (left under 1%, center under 1%, right under 1%), from 5 of 5 weeksJul 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksAug 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksSep 2026: average weekly share 1% (left under 1%, center under 1%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksOct 2026: average weekly share under 1% (left under 1%, center under 1%, right under 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksNov 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 2 of 2 weeks, so far

LeftCenterRight

Each bar is the share of the outlets on our Left / Center / Right rating scale that we tracked publishing that week which carried reporting on this story, split by the outlets' ratings. Over more than two years each bar is a month: the average of that month's weekly shares, so the shape stays readable. The weekly table below keeps every week. We track more outlets now than in the archive, so a share keeps earlier and later weeks comparable. An outlet counts once a week however much it published, and outlets in one ownership or syndication group count as one on each side they appear on. A rating describes the outlet, not the report. A gap means no such reports were collected that week, not that nothing was reported anywhere. Weeks run Monday to Sunday in UTC, so a report published on a Sunday evening in US Eastern time counts in the next week. 9 more outlets off the scale (not rated, or outside the left-right graphs) also reported; they are not in this chart. See them.

Weekly counts, outlets and reports (33 weeks with coverage)
Outlets on the rating scale that carried this story each week, of the outlets tracked that week, newest first
Week of (UTC)LeftCenterRightOf trackedShareReceipts
Oct 26, 20262338 of 4732%
Sep 21, 202646010 of 4792%
Jun 22, 20262327 of 4152%
Nov 17, 20252619 of 1895%
Oct 20, 202548012 of 1946%
Sep 15, 20251012426 of 19114%
Sep 1, 202577014 of 1778%
Jul 28, 2025610117 of 1879%
Jul 7, 202555414 of 1917%
Mar 31, 2025616931 of 20515%
Mar 10, 20252226 of 1983%
Dec 16, 2024110213 of 2266%
Nov 18, 202418252164 of 22528%
Nov 11, 20243418 of 2114%
Jul 29, 2024611421 of 2289%
Jun 10, 2024118625 of 24710%
Jun 3, 202458316 of 2287%
May 20, 202428372085 of 22638%
May 13, 202446313 of 2166%
Apr 29, 20241110930 of 23713%
Apr 8, 2024816428 of 26411%
Apr 1, 20243339 of 2643%
Mar 4, 20240202 of 2541%
Feb 19, 20241517 of 2323%
Feb 12, 202498421 of 2429%
Jan 22, 202425261162 of 23826%
Jan 8, 20242527961 of 24325%
Jan 1, 2024610521 of 2329%
Dec 25, 20231012123 of 20711%
Dec 11, 20230303 of 2251%
Nov 6, 20231113 of 2371%
Oct 16, 202376114 of 2486%
Oct 9, 20230101 of 237under 1%

Latest coverage

The newest reporting in this story's record.

  1. Oct 26, 2026 · first reported · Headline from WKBN Youngstown

    UN-commissioned experts say Gaza ceasefire has not stopped Israel from committing genocide

Background

South Africa filed a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice in December 2023; Israel rejected the allegations.[1][5] In January 2024, the court ordered measures to prevent genocidal acts and facilitate humanitarian aid without ordering a ceasefire.[6] Its May provisional measures addressed Israel's offensive in Rafah, requiring an immediate halt to the offensive and other action there that could impose conditions threatening the physical destruction of Palestinians in Gaza, in whole or in part.[7]

Read the full background (4 more paragraphs)

Other state cases concerned support for Israel. In February 2024, a Dutch court ordered the Netherlands to halt F-35 parts exports, citing a clear risk of serious violations of international humanitarian law.[8] In April, the ICJ heard Nicaragua's claim that German aid to Israel facilitated genocide and other violations. Germany denied the allegations.[9][10] In a separate advisory opinion in October 2025, the ICJ said Israel was obliged to allow humanitarian aid and support UN relief operations in Gaza.[11]

The ICC proceedings concerned individual criminal responsibility. In May 2024, its prosecutor sought warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes.[12] President Joe Biden called the request outrageous, and the US House passed a bill to sanction court officials.[13][14] In November, the ICC issued warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant and Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif.[2] Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said he would not enforce Netanyahu's warrant, and Hungary announced plans to leave the ICC when Netanyahu visited in April 2025.[15][16]

UN bodies also investigated conduct during the war. The UN human rights chief said in November 2023 that both Israel and Hamas had committed war crimes.[17] A UN-backed commission later reported war crimes by Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups.[3] In July 2024, the UN human rights office reported torture and mistreatment of Palestinians in Israeli detention.[18] Physicians for Human Rights-Israel later reported at least 98 Palestinian deaths in custody since October 2023, drawing on official data and other sources.[19]

Genocide allegations came from several investigations. Human Rights Watch accused Israel of acts of genocide through deprivation of water in December 2024; Israel rejected its findings.[20] Two Israeli rights groups accused Israel of genocide in July 2025, and a UN commission reached that conclusion in September.[21][4] In June 2026, the commission reported that Israeli forces deliberately targeted Palestinian children; Israel rejected the report.[22] Separately, the United States sanctioned UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese, who was investigating abuses in the occupied Palestinian territories.[23] At the UN General Assembly in September 2026, Netanyahu called the accusations of genocide in Gaza "the biggest lie of the century."[24]

Supporting stories (24)
  1. South Africa files case at top UN court accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza
  2. ICC issues arrest warrants for Israel’s Netanyahu, Gallant and Hamas leader
  3. UN inquiry finds Israel and Hamas have both committed war crimes since October 7
  4. UN commission says Israel is committing genocide in Gaza
  5. South Africa's genocide case against Israel sets up a high-stakes legal battle at the UN's top court
  6. Top UN court orders Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza but stops short of ordering cease-fire
  7. World court orders Israel to halt its military offensive into Rafah
  8. Dutch appeals court orders Netherlands to stop exporting F-35 parts to Israel amid humanitarian concerns
  9. Top UN court opens hearings in case accusing Germany of facilitating Israel's Gaza conflict
  10. Germany Rejects Allegations that It's Facilitating Acts of Genocide in Gaza at UN Court
  11. UN’s top court rebukes Israel over Gaza aid restrictions during war
  12. ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrant for Israeli and Hamas leaders, including Netanyahu
  13. Biden slams 'outrageous' ICC bid to arrest Israeli leaders
  14. House passes proposal sanctioning top war-crimes court after it sought Netanyahu arrest warrant
  15. Hungary's Orban breaks with neighbors to dismiss ICC's arrest warrant for Netanyahu
  16. Hungary announces ICC withdrawal as Israel's Netanyahu visits
  17. UN rights chief says both Israel and Hamas have committed war crimes
  18. UN report says Palestinians detained by Israeli authorities since Oct. 7 faced torture, mistreatment
  19. At least 98 Palestinians have died in custody since October 2023, Israeli data shows
  20. HRW accuses Israel of 'acts of genocide' for Gaza water access
  21. Two Israeli rights groups say their country is committing genocide in Gaza
  22. Israel deliberately targeting children in ongoing genocide against Palestinians, UN commission finds
  23. U.S. issues sanctions against United Nations investigator probing abuses in Gaza
  24. Israel’s Netanyahu, at UN, calls accusations of genocide in Gaza ‘the biggest lie of the century’

The full record

Each date is when an update was first reported.

All 51 recorded updates

October 2026

  1. UN-commissioned experts say Gaza ceasefire has not stopped Israel from committing genocideHeadline from Philadelphia Inquirer · 9 outlets

September 2026

  1. Israel’s Netanyahu, at UN, calls accusations of genocide in Gaza ‘the biggest lie of the century’Headline from KOB 4 · 11 outlets

June 2026

  1. Israel deliberately targeting children in ongoing genocide against Palestinians, UN commission findsHeadline from KVIA El Paso · 10 outlets

November 2025

  1. At least 98 Palestinians have died in custody since October 2023, Israeli data showsHeadline from The Guardian · 10 outlets

October 2025

  1. UN’s top court rebukes Israel over Gaza aid restrictions during warHeadline from KESQ Palm Springs · 16 outlets

September 2025

  1. UN commission says Israel is committing genocide in GazaHeadline from CNN · 30 outlets

August 2025

  1. Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, says scholars' associationHeadline from Al-Monitor · 9 outlets
  2. Strikes across Gaza kill at least 31 as international scholars accuse Israel of genocideHeadline from Minneapolis Star Tribune · 9 outlets

July 2025

  1. Two Israeli rights groups say their country is committing genocide in GazaHeadline from The Boston Globe · 21 outlets
  2. U.S. issues sanctions against United Nations investigator probing abuses in GazaHeadline from NPR · 16 outlets

April 2025

  1. Palestinian teen died in Israeli prison after suffering ‘likely prolonged malnutrition’, autopsy findsHeadline from KEYT Santa Barbara · 11 outlets
  2. Hungary announces ICC withdrawal as Israel's Netanyahu visitsHeadline from Al-Monitor · 28 outlets
  3. Israel's Netanyahu arrives in Hungary, defying ICC warrantHeadline from Digital Journal · 10 outlets

March 2025

  1. Israel accused of genocidal acts and sexual violence in Gaza by U.N. expertsHeadline from NBC News · 10 outlets

December 2024

  1. HRW accuses Israel of 'acts of genocide' for Gaza water accessHeadline from Al-Monitor · 17 outlets

November 2024

  1. Hungary's Orban breaks with neighbors to dismiss ICC's arrest warrant for NetanyahuHeadline from NBC News · 9 outlets
  2. ICC issues arrest warrants for Israel’s Netanyahu, Gallant and Hamas leaderHeadline from West Hawaii Today · 68 outlets
  3. Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of mass displacement in Gaza amounting to a war crimeHeadline from CNN · 11 outlets

July 2024

  1. UN report says Palestinians detained by Israeli authorities since Oct. 7 faced torture, mistreatmentHeadline from WHEC Rochester · 23 outlets

June 2024

  1. UN inquiry finds Israel and Hamas have both committed war crimes since October 7Headline from CNN · 12 outlets
  2. UN says Israeli forces, Palestinian armed groups may have committed war crimes in deadly raidHeadline from St. Louis Post-Dispatch · 17 outlets
  3. House passes proposal sanctioning top war-crimes court after it sought Netanyahu arrest warrantHeadline from KOB 4 · 17 outlets

May 2024

  1. World court orders Israel to halt its military offensive into RafahHeadline from Hawaiitribune Herald · 62 outlets
  2. France and Belgium support ICC request for arrest warrants of Israel and Hamas leadersHeadline from NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth · 9 outlets
  3. Amal Clooney is one of the legal experts who recommended war crimes charges in Israel-Hamas warHeadline from Valdosta Daily Times · 20 outlets

Coverage & sources

Read the reports, see how much was collected over time, or compare outlets by political leaning.

Coverage & sources →