Netanyahu Rejects ICC Arrest Warrant, Vows to Continue Defending Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant against him over alleged war crimes in Gaza would not deter Israel from defending itself. In a video statement reported by AFP, Netanyahu declared, “No outrageous anti-Israel decision will prevent us—and it will not prevent me—from continuing to defend our country in every way. We will not yield to pressure.”

The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of “war crimes” and “crimes against humanity” during the Gaza conflict, including allegations of using starvation as a weapon of war and committing acts of persecution and murder. Netanyahu dismissed the charges as “utterly baseless” and called the ICC an “enemy of humanity.”

Israel has been engaged in hostilities in Gaza since October 7, 2023, following a cross-border attack by Hamas that resulted in over 1,200 Israeli casualties, predominantly civilians. In retaliation, Israel’s military campaign has led to over 44,000 deaths in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to Hamas-run health ministry figures cited by the United Nations.

The ICC’s findings allege “reasonable grounds” for criminal responsibility against both Netanyahu and Gallant. Netanyahu rejected the court’s findings as “fictitious crimes” while accusing the ICC of ignoring genuine war crimes elsewhere.

The court also issued an arrest warrant for Mohammed Deif, the military leader of Hamas. While Israel claimed Deif was killed in an airstrike in July, Hamas has not confirmed his death. Netanyahu criticized the ICC’s decision to issue a warrant for what he referred to as “the body of Mohammed Deif.”

As the Gaza conflict continues, UN agencies have warned of an escalating humanitarian crisis, including severe shortages of food and medical supplies, and the risk of famine in the region.