For war crimes

Netanyahu fears arrest warrant, according to reports

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he would not be intimidated by the "outrageous threat".

(Bild: AP)

According to media reports, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fears that the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague could issue arrest warrants for him and other Israelis. The Israeli government assumes that Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan could issue international arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi this week, Israeli media reported on Sunday.

The Criminal Court has been investigating Hamas and Israel for alleged war crimes in the Gaza Strip since 2021. Investigations are also underway into violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank. Netanyahu is extremely concerned about possible arrests, which would mean a dramatic deterioration in Israel's international reputation, according to the reports.

Israel sees this as an "outrageous threat"
Netanyahu wrote on X on Friday that Israel under his leadership "will never accept any attempt by the Tribunal to undermine its inherent right to self-defense". The head of government also wrote: "The threat to capture soldiers and representatives of the only democracy in the Middle East and the only Jewish state in the world is outrageous." Israel will "continue the just war against terrorists bent on genocide until victory".

Netanyahu's posting on X:

While such a decision by the Criminal Court would not affect Israel's actions, it would be "a dangerous precedent that threatens the soldiers and representatives of all democracies fighting against brutal terrorism and ruthless aggression," Netanyahu wrote.

States would have to execute arrest warrants when crossing borders
Legally, an ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu and other Israeli citizens would mean that states that have signed the ICC statutes would be obliged to arrest these individuals and hand them over to the court - if they enter the territory of these states.

Children stand among rubble after a night attack on Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip.

(Bild: AFP/Sophie CHAUVEAU)

Chief prosecutor Karim Khan has already issued four international arrest warrants against high-ranking Russians for alleged war crimes, including against ruler Vladimir Putin.

The International Criminal Court prosecutes individuals for alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Israel does not recognize the court. But the Palestinian territories are a state party. Therefore, the prosecutor may also investigate.

Another UN court warns Israel of "possible genocide"
The ICC should not be confused with the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is also based in The Hague. The much older UN court has the task of resolving conflicts between states. It recently admonished Israel to do everything in its power to prevent possible genocide in the Gaza Strip.

Hostage relatives demand investigation of Hamas leader
Relatives of Israeli Hamas hostages called on the Criminal Court in February to investigate the leaders of the terrorist organization and issue arrest warrants. They called for criminal investigations into hostage-taking, sexual violence, torture and murder.

Around 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 taken hostage in the Gaza Strip during the Hamas attacks in the Israeli border region on October 7. The attacks were the trigger for Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip, in which more than 34,400 people have been killed so far, according to the Hamas-controlled health authority.