The US and its allies are concerned that the International Criminal Court may issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials just as the country is getting closer to a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, potentially jeopardising a deal.
The United States and its allies are concerned that the International Criminal Court may issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials just as the country is getting closer to a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, potentially jeopardising a deal, people familiar with the matter said.
The worry is that Israel would back out of a truce if the ICC proceeds with the warrants, according to two of the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private deliberations.
Group of Seven nations have begun a quiet diplomatic effort to convey that message to the Hague-based court, the people said.
The ICC is weighing arrest warrants targeting both senior Israeli officials as well as the leadership of Hamas over the two sides’ conduct of the war in Gaza, the people said.
The New York Times previously reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could be among those singled out.
Two of the people said that the gap between Israel and Hamas on an agreement to release hostages had narrowed in recent weeks and that a deal was now close. Hamas is designated as a terrorist organisation by the US and European Union.
“We’ve been really clear about the ICC investigation – we do not support it,” White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Monday. “We don’t believe that they have the jurisdiction.”
The potential arrest warrants have become a major concern for Israel and the country is talking to international partners about it, one person said.
