The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation said on Sunday that Tel Aviv is studying with concern the possibility of the International Criminal Court in The Hague issuing arrest warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Galant and Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevy.

The commission noted that an urgent and serious discussion took place in Netanyahu’s office about these concerns, and added: “Concern has emerged seriously about the possibility of the International Criminal Court in The Hague issuing arrest warrants against high-ranking Israeli security and political leaders, which was expected, and it is likely that it will be issued.” The arrest warrants are against the backdrop of the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, in addition to statements by various countries regarding Israel’s violation of international law regarding the conditions of the civilian population in Gaza and violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention.”

In his statements last week, Netanyahu downplayed any decisions that might be issued by the International Court of Justice, and said that the court’s decisions would not affect Israel’s actions regarding Gaza.

He also described in a statement on the “X” platform the possibility of issuing arrest warrants as a dangerous precedent. He said that any intervention by the International Criminal Court “would set a dangerous precedent that threatens soldiers and officials in all democracies that fight brutal terrorism and wanton aggression,” adding, “We will not accept any attempt by the International Criminal Court in The Hague to undermine Israel’s right to defend itself.” ".

Reports in many Israeli media stated, “The United States is part of a recent diplomatic effort to prevent the International Criminal Court from issuing arrest warrants against Netanyahu and other Israeli officials.”

The Walla news website reported that Netanyahu is “under extraordinary pressure” over the possible issuance of the arrest warrant, which would amount to a widespread deterioration in Israel’s international standing. He added that Netanyahu is leading a “continuous phone campaign” to prevent the issuance of the arrest warrant, with a particular focus on the administration of US President Joe Biden.

According to the New York Times, Israeli officials increasingly believe that the International Criminal Court is preparing to issue arrest warrants against senior government officials on charges related to the war on the Gaza Strip, according to five Israeli and foreign officials.

Israeli and foreign officials also believe that the court is considering issuing arrest warrants against Hamas leaders.

If the court continues to operate, Israeli officials will likely be charged with preventing the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and following a harsh response to the October 7 Hamas-led attacks on Israel, according to two of the five officials, all of whom spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

Israeli officials, concerned about the potential repercussions of such a case, said they believe Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is among the people who might be named in the arrest warrant. It is not clear who Hamas may be charged with or what crimes will be cited.

The court's arrest orders will likely be viewed in most parts of the world as an insulting moral rebuke, especially of Israel, which has for months faced international backlash over its behavior in Gaza, including from President Biden, who called it "overstepping the bounds." .

The decision could also affect Israel's policies as the country presses its military campaign against Hamas. One Israeli official said that Israeli decision-makers had been informed of the possibility of the court issuing arrest warrants in recent weeks.

Israeli and foreign officials said they did not know what stage the operation had reached, and that any arrest warrants would require the approval of a panel of judges and would not necessarily lead to a trial or even an immediate arrest of the perpetrators.

Karim Khan, the court's prosecutor, previously confirmed that his team was investigating incidents that occurred during the war, but his office refused to comment on this article, saying that it "does not respond to speculation in media reports."