Gaza war: Israel making efforts to block ICC arrest warrants against Netanyahu and others, says report

The Israeli government ismaking effortsto block the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants against Prime Minister BenjaminNetanyahu,and other top officials, the Times of Israel reported on Sunday (Apr 28)citingsources. Israeli officials believe that the ICC has been preparing to issue these arrest warrants for officials on charges related to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

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The report said that the country's National Security Council is leading the campaign (to head off the arrest warrants), adding the foreign ministry is also involved in the efforts. One of the sources told the publication that amajorfocus of the ICC allegations would be that Israel deliberately starved Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

'Netanyahu under unusual stress'

According to Israeli journalist and analystBen Caspit, Prime Minister Netanyahu has been under unusual stress over the feared arrest warrant against him and other top officials. Writing an article in the Walla News, Caspit said that Netanyahu was leading a non-stop push over the telephone to prevent an arrest warrant, focussedespeciallyon the Joe Biden-led US administration.

Last Friday, the Israeli Prime Minister said in a post on Telegram that under his leadership, Israel would never accept any attempt by the ICC to undermine itsbasicright to defenditself.

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Amid these developments, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said that his country expects the ICC to refrain from issuing arrest warrants. "If the orders are issued, they will harm the commanders and soldiers of the IDF and give a boost to the terrorist organisation Hamas and the radical Islamic axis led by Iran against which we are fighting," Katz said in a statement.

No end to conflict anytime soon

OnOctober 7last year, Hamas militants launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians. More than 200 peoplewere takenas hostages by Hamas.

Israel retaliated hard in the Gaza Strip and has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians. More than 77,000 people havebeen injuredin the war-torn region.

(With inputs from agencies)