US Sanctions ICC Officials Over Gaza War Crimes Probe; Israeli Strike Kills Hamas Commanders

The United States has announced sanctions against the president and a prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) who are investigating alleged war crimes by Israel in Gaza. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the ICC as a "corrupt and fatally politicized supranational court" that has "maliciously abused its authority and exceeded its mandate." These sanctions underscore a significant diplomatic rift over international justice mechanisms in the context of the ongoing conflict.

This development comes as the Israeli military reported targeting Hamas commanders in Gaza, a day after US President Trump's envoy, Jared Kushner, visited the region to promote a stalled peace plan for demilitarizing and rebuilding the territory. The deadly strike raises further questions about the viability of such peace initiatives amidst continued hostilities and international legal scrutiny.