The Hague may issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials: the US is categorically against – Bloomberg

The United States does not support the ICC in decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials/Channel 24 Collage (illustrative photo)

The International Criminal Court may issue arrest warrants for Israeli top officials and Hamas leadership. The US and its allies are concerned about this. After all, Israel is now approaching a ceasefire with Hamas.

Such a decision by the ICC could jeopardize the corresponding agreement between the two warring parties. Israel may reject the truce if the ICC continues to issue warrants.

G7 does not support the ICC's decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials

The G7 countries have already begun working to make their case to the ICC.

Probably among those arrested maybe Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. American media say he asked Biden for help to make sure the warrants weren't issued.

We have been very clear about the ICC investigation. We don't support him. We do not believe that they have jurisdiction,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Monday.

We add that Netanyahu himself is criticized in the United States. In particular, the head of the Democratic majority in the US Senate, Chuck Schumer, called the Prime Minister of Israel “an obstacle to peace.”

The senator believes that the current government of Israel does not meet the needs of the country, and called for elections.

“There needs to be a new dialogue about Israel's future after October 7th,” Chuck Schumer said.

Negotiations between Israel and Hamas continue

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken yesterday, April 29, at a meeting of the World Economic Forum called on the leaders of the militant group to decide on Israel's terms for a temporary ceasefire.

He noted that Israel was ” extremely generous” regarding offers made during negotiations mediated by Qatar and Egypt to secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The deal is about the release of approximately 40 hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinians from Israeli prisons.

Hamas has an offer under consideration that is extremely generous with on the Israeli side,” Blinken said.

In February, the court's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, said he was deeply concerned by the behavior of Israeli troops, as well as Hamas militants who are holding Israeli hostages.

“Those who do not comply with the law should not complain later when my office takes action in accordance with its mandate,” he said then.

News of the arrests of Israeli officials could cause a wave of protests around the world

On Sunday, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz instructed his country's missions around the world to prepare for wave of anti-Semitism, anti-Jewish and anti-Israel outbursts amid reports of possible warrants. He noted that such a move by the ICC would harm Israeli forces and “strengthen the morale of the terrorist organization Hamas and the axis of radical Islam led by Iran,” which Israel is fighting against.

What is known about the conflict between Israel and Hamas

• Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. Then the militants killed more than 1,200 and took about 250 hostage.
• Experts explain why Hamas was able to attack Israel by the fact that no one expected the attack.
• Then dozens of Israeli soldiers were captured. There were also those killed.
• In response to the Hamas attack, Israel attacked the Gaza Strip. More than 34,000 Palestinians were killed in the attack, according to Gaza's Hamas-run Health Ministry. Although Israel has always denied that the target of the strikes was the civilian population.
• Because of such cases, the ICC may accuse the Israeli authorities of responding too harshly. The ICC is also unhappy with the obstruction of the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
• In addition, the United States wants to impose sanctions against one of the units of the Israeli IDF army. We are talking about the Netzach Yehuda infantry battalion, which is accused of violence against Palestinians in 2022.