The International Criminal Court's arrest warrant against Hamas's military chief Mohammed Deif is a sign victims are being heard, a representative for families of the victims of the October 7 Hamas attacks said Thursday.
The ICC earlier Thursday issued a warrant for Deif, believing there were grounds to suspect him of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the Palestinian militant group's October 7 attacks against Israel.
"This arrest warrant against Mr Deif is massively significant. It means these victims' voices are being heard," said Yael Vias Gvirsman, who represents the families of 300 Israeli victims of the attacks.
"This court bears a great responsibility. For us this is just the first steps. It's a long process," added Gvirsman, who is also a lawyer representing victims at the ICC.
Israel says it has killed him but Hamas has not yet confirmed his death. The court said the prosecutor could not determine whether he was still alive, so it issued the warrants.
The ICC also issued warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant.
Gvirsman said her clients' feelings on that were "very mixed".
"There is some shock. In terms of Israel facing these arrest warrants, the best thing is to face reality," she said.
"An international court of law has issued a binding decision. I think the best thing to do now is to closely cooperate with the prosecutor."
Netanyahu himself described the warrants as "anti-Semitic".
Israel "rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions and accusations made against it," said the prime minister.