Israel to Contest ICC Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant Over Gaza War

The Israeli government has announced its intention to challenge arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing their roles in the ongoing Gaza conflict.

The ICC issued warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant, and Hamas leader Ibrahim Al-Masri, alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity tied to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel and the subsequent Israeli military response in Gaza.

ICC prosecutor Karim Khan initially filed for these warrants in May, a motion that has faced strong opposition from Israel.

Netanyahu’s office released a statement on Wednesday confirming the government’s plan to appeal the warrants and to request a delay in their execution. The statement also highlighted U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham’s support for Israel, noting his efforts to push measures in the U.S. Congress targeting the ICC and nations cooperating with it.

The ICC dismissed Israel’s previous arguments, contesting the court’s jurisdiction over the case.

Court spokesperson Fadi El Abdallah confirmed that any appeal request would be subject to judicial review. Under ICC rules, the U.N. Security Council can pause investigations or prosecutions for a year, with an option for annual renewal.

Israel maintains that the ICC lacks jurisdiction, but parties named in arrest warrants or implicated governments can challenge the case’s admissibility under court procedures.

The arrest warrants have intensified tensions, with both sides of the conflict facing accusations of war crimes amid international scrutiny of the escalating violence in Gaza.