Israeli government ministers and opposition leaders rejected the arrest warrants issued by the International Court of Justice (ICC) today for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu called the ICC arrest warrants "false and politically biased." In a statement released by his office, the Israeli prime minister asserted that "There is nothing more just than the war that Israel has waged in Gaza."

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said the arrest warrants were "a black day for justice". Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar called the ICC arrest warrants a "dark moment," claiming the Hague-based court "lost all legitimacy for its existence and activities."

Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev called the ICC's arrest warrant a "legal absurdity".

"Israel will not apologize for protecting its citizens - this is not a crime," Regev told X.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the arrest warrants, saying Israel is defending itself.

Former war cabinet minister Benny Gantz described the arrest warrants as "moral blindness".

The court's Pre-Trial Chamber said it "issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed from at least October 8, 2023 to at least May 20, 2024."

"The Chamber assessed that there are reasons to believe that the two individuals willfully and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of facilities necessary for their survival, including food, water and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity." , the decision states. /AA