Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his deep concern over the possibility of an arrest warrant being issued against him by the International Criminal Court in The Hague due to the military operation in the Gaza Strip, according to what Israeli media reported.

The Hebrew newspaper "Maariv" reported that Netanyahu made great efforts in recent days to prevent this possible development, and made extensive contacts, especially with Washington, to prevent the issuance of an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court in The Hague, including attempts to pressure US President Joe Biden. Indirectly...

According to the Maariv newspaper, there is a belief that the issuance of the arrest warrant is a matter of time and that it may include, along with Netanyahu, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevy.

It is claimed that an arrest warrant against Netanyahu is likely to be issued by the International Criminal Court anytime soon

For its part, Israeli Channel 12 said that the government and the army are preparing for the decision to issue arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court against Netanyahu, Gallant, and Halevy.

She indicated that arrest warrants may be issued within a week, according to expectations

The Jerusalem Post newspaper quoted an Israeli diplomatic source as saying, “The International Criminal Court cannot move against the prime minister and senior army officers without public or tactical support from the United States.”

In an official statement made by Netanyahu last Thursday, he stressed that he would not allow any attempts by the International Criminal Court to undermine Israel’s right to self-defense, considering that this threat would create a dangerous precedent on a global scale.

Netanyahu said that any rulings issued by the International Criminal Court would not have an impact on Israel’s actions, but would “set a dangerous precedent.”

Netanyahu said in a statement posted on the Telegram platform, “Under my leadership, Israel will never accept any attempt by the International Criminal Court in The Hague to undermine its fundamental right to defend itself.”

He added, "Although the decisions taken by the court in The Hague will not affect Israel's actions, they will set a dangerous precedent that threatens soldiers and public figures."

Anger at Netanyahu's tweet

In this context, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority said that Netanyahu’s tweet about The Hague angered senior officials in Israel, who explained that “any statement may complicate the already complex situation.”

The authority added that Israeli officials “considered Netanyahu’s tweet that could be interpreted as a threat.”

According to Maariv newspaper, senior Israeli authorities objected to Netanyahu’s tweet. She said: “Netanyahu’s tweet is wrong, especially in light of Israel’s current situation, and any words that could complicate the situation further. It is forbidden to convey messages to the International Criminal Court that could be understood as a threat.”

Netanyahu had said earlier: “Under my rule, Israel will not accept any attempt by the International Criminal Court to prevent Israel’s right to defend itself, the threat against Israeli soldiers and Israeli public figures in the only democratic state in the Middle East and the only Jewish state in “The world is a scandalous act.”

He continued: "We will not surrender to it. Israel will continue its just war against the saboteurs who want to destroy it. We will not stop defending ourselves. The decisions of the International Criminal Court will not affect Israel's operations, but they constitute a dangerous precedent that threatens soldiers and public figures in every democracy." Fights terrorism and dangerous aggression.”

Lack of confidence in Netanyahu

This comes in light of the lack of trust between Netanyahu and members of his war council regarding the course of negotiations on the prisoner and detainee exchange deal, according to what the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported.

The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation said that political and security officials, including Benny Gantz, Gallant and Eisenkot, support reaching a deal with Hamas, while Netanyahu opposes it.

The commission added that the military establishment sees the new proposals, especially from Egypt, as the last opportunity to return the prisoners from Gaza before carrying out any operation in Rafah.

On the other hand, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid confirmed that he is ready to join the government if there is a need for his party to vote to approve the swap deal.

Source: Annahar