Israel believes ICC is ready to issue arrest warrants over Hamas war

Israeli officials expressed concerns that the International Criminal Court (ICC) may issue arrest warrants against Israeli government and military figures for actions linked to Israel’s conflict with Hamas. The ICC has the authority to accuse officials of war crimes, including genocide and crimes against humanity.

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According to Reuters, the ICC may seek an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other high-ranking officials for potential violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza. The ICC is also contemplating warrants for Hamas leaders.

However, Israel and the United States are not ICC members and do not acknowledge its jurisdiction.

“The ICC is an independent organization, and their efforts are undertaken without any contact or interference from the U.S.,” U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said on Monday, April 29.

The ICC is investigating Hamas’s deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the kidnapping of hundreds more. The court is also looking at Israel’s subsequent retaliation against Hamas in Gaza, including a ground offensive that led to the deaths of over 34,000 Palestinians.

The exact number of Palestinian civilian casualties is uncertain. The Hamas-run Palestinian health agency does not differentiate between Hamas militants and civilian casualties.

ICC officials emphasized that violators of international law will be held accountable.

Israel Foreign Minister Israel Katz anticipated that the ICC will refrain from issuing arrest warrants against Israel’s top officials.

“We will not bow our heads or be deterred and will continue to fight,” Katz said.

If the ICC issues an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, it does not necessarily imply imprisonment. However, Netanyahu and other officials could face arrest in countries that recognize the ICC’s authority. That includes much of Europe.

Netanyahu stated on Friday, April 26, that Israel “will never accept any attempt by the ICC to undermine its inherent right of self-defense.”

The news of potential arrest warrants came as pressure mounts on Israel to stop its ground incursion in Gaza.

Israel is waiting for a response from Hamas militants regarding a new cease-fire proposal. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken described it as “extremely generous.” No one involved in the negotiations shared the terms of the potential deal.