Hague justice? Top Israeli officials believe arrest warrants will be iss

Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Minister of Defense Yoav Galant, and head of the National Unity party Benny Gantz (not seen) hold a joint press conference at the Ministry of Defense, in Tel Aviv. October 28, 2023. background — Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Minister of Defense Yoav Galant, and head of the National Unity party Benny Gantz (not seen) hold a joint press conference at the Ministry of Defense, in Tel Aviv. October 28, 2023. (Photo: Dana Kopel/POOL)

According to Israeli media sources, the International Criminal Court of Justice (ICC) in the Hague is set to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi following South Africa's allegations of human rights violations during the war in Gaza.

The reports state that an "urgent discussion" took place a few weeks ago at the Prime Minister's office regarding the expected sanctions. It also alleges that top Israeli officials and international jurists including: Ron Dermer, Yariv Levin, and Israel Katz met Hague officials in a last-ditch effort to prevent the sanctions, but were unable to fulfill their mission.

The international arrest warrants are likely to be signed due to allegations of Israel's violations of human rights issued by a number of countries as well its alleged inability to abide by the Fourth Geneva Convention. According to a previous report, PM Netanyahu is afraid the arrest warrants will greatly damage Israel's PR efforts and potentially change the outcome of the war in Gaza.