Netanyahu: Potential Issuance of Arrest Warrant for Senior Israeli Officials is 'Outrageous'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the potential issuance of an arrest warrant for senior Israeli government and military officials on charges of 'war crimes' by the International Criminal Court (ICC) as an 'historically outrageous' act. Netanyahu stated, 'We defend ourselves against terrorists and predatory regimes like Iran, which openly seek the destruction of the only Jewish state in the world.' He added, 'The court's potential action will further inflame anti-Semitism, a fire that is currently burning in universities across America and the world.' The Israeli Prime Minister also emphasized that 'this is the first time a democratic country fighting for its survival under the laws of war is accused of war crimes,' asserting, 'The Israeli army is one of the most ethical armies in the world. It takes effective measures to prevent civilian casualties, measures that no other army takes, even while fighting a terrorist enemy that uses its civilians as human shields.' Netanyahu noted that Hamas places its 'weapons' and 'terrorists' in hospitals, schools, mosques, and throughout civilian areas to gain immunity while maximizing civilian casualties. However, he claimed that Israel is facilitating increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, and that the ICC's efforts to accuse Israel are attempts to paralyze its ability to defend itself. The Israeli Prime Minister also stressed that none of the ICC's actions would affect Israel's plans to combat Hamas in Gaza, but he expects leaders of the 'free world' to stand firmly against the ICC's actions and invites 'noble people' from around the world to stand with Israel 'as we fight against the barbarians of Hamas and the Islamic Republic of Iran.' According to Reuters, the ICC has stated that it is investigating both sides involved in the Gaza conflict, including the October 7 Hamas attack and Israel's subsequent response. In recent days, following the exhumation of hundreds of bodies from several mass graves, Palestinian officials have called for investigations into this matter. Israel has denied committing war crimes, including in or around Gaza hospitals, stating that all its military activities are justified by the presence of Hamas fighters. Netanyahu: 'We will enter Rafah with or without an agreement and eliminate Hamas.' Blinken discusses increasing aid to Gaza with Netanyahu. A Turkish attacker 'armed with a knife' was killed by Israeli forces in Jerusalem. US and Egyptian leaders are consulting about the situation in the Middle East; the Hamas negotiating team has left Cairo.