Israeli Officials Believe Netanyahu Could Be Named in ICC Arrest Warrants Over Gaza War – REPORTS

Abir Sultan/Pool Photo via AP

Israeli government officials believe that the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague is preparing warrants for senior officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to reports from The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Times of Israel.

The New York Times released a report on Sunday citing five Israeli and foreign officials who speculated that the ICC could officially accuse Israel of preventing the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza and conducting an “excessively harsh” military response to the October 7 terror attack by Hamas. All sources spoke to NY Times under the condition of anonymity.

NYT also noted that it is not clear who the ICC will charge from Hamas or what crimes the organization would be accused of. However, sources believe the court is deciding whether to issue arrest warrants for Hamas leaders.

Previously, Netanyahu has stated that any legal decision by the ICC would not affect the Israeli government’s actions in regards to the war against Hamas, according to The Times of Israel. However, the Israeli leader added that it would create a dangerous precedent on the international stage.

“Under my leadership, Israel will never accept any attempt by the International Criminal Court in The Hague to undermine its basic right to defend itself,” Netanyahu said.

“While decisions made by the court in The Hague will not affect Israel’s actions, they will set a dangerous precedent that threatens soldiers and public figures,” he added.

The possibility of an investigation into Israel’s actions or the issuing of warrants has caused outrage among some, particularly on the right. Conservative pundit and Fox News host Mark Levin said Friday that the ICC’s actions cause him to “gravely fear a second Holocaust.”

“Once this hate is let loose, it spreads like water, everywhere. Everywhere,” he said, predicting it will be the “first major shot” to “potentially a second Holocaust down the road.”