WASHINGTON: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Thursday that the United States has imposed sanctions on two judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) for their involvement in actions targeting Israel.
Rubio stated, “Today, I am designating two ICC judges, Gocha Lordkipanidze from Georgia and Erdenebalsuren Damdin from Mongolia, under Executive Order 14203,” referencing the order signed by former President Donald Trump in February to sanction the ICC.
Rubio explained that these judges have actively participated in efforts by the ICC to investigate, arrest, or prosecute Israeli nationals without Israel’s approval. Notably, the U.S. and Israel are not members of the ICC.The sanctions issued in February include measures such as freezing any U.S. assets of the designated judges and their families, as well as prohibiting travel to the United States.
Earlier, on December 15, 2025, the ICC Appeals Chamber rejected a series of legal challenges filed by Israel against the court’s ongoing investigation into its conduct during the Gaza conflict. The judges upheld a lower court’s decision allowing the ICC’s investigation to include events following the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, which Israel regards as an extension of its jurisdiction.
This ruling confirms that the investigation will proceed, and arrest warrants issued last year for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant remain in effect. Israel dismisses the ICC’s authority over its actions and denies any war crimes committed in Gaza, where it continues a military campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas following the attacks.
The ICC also initially issued a warrant for Hamas leader Ibrahim al-Masri over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity but later withdrew it after credible reports confirmed his death.
A ceasefire was reached on October 10, but the conflict has left Gaza’s infrastructure severely damaged and living conditions extremely difficult.
