Israeli officials are on edge as the International Criminal Court (ICC) threatens to issue arrest warrants against the country’s leaders in response to the ongoing conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The fear of potential warrants comes as Israeli airstrikes in Rafah have resulted in the deaths of at least 22 people, including women and children.
The ICC has been investigating possible war crimes committed by both Israel and Palestinian militants since the 2014 Israel-Hamas war. While no warrants have been issued yet, Israeli officials are taking the rumors seriously and are urging the court to prevent any such action.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to never accept any attempt by the ICC to undermine Israel’s right to self-defense. The threat of arrest warrants against Israeli officials could provide a morale boost to Hamas and other militant groups, according to Foreign Minister Israel Katz.
In response to the mounting pressure, Israel has announced plans to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza, possibly as a way to preempt any ICC action. The United States, a close ally of Israel, has urged against further escalation in the conflict, fearing a humanitarian catastrophe in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
As the situation continues to escalate, the international community is closely monitoring the developments in the region. The ICC’s investigation into the conflict and potential arrest warrants against Israeli officials could have far-reaching implications for the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.