They fear the International Criminal Court

MEXICO CITY (El Universal and EFE).— Israeli officials believe that the International Criminal Court (ICC) is preparing to issue arrest warrants once morest senior government officials on charges related to the war with Hamas, they told the American newspaper “The New York Times” five Israeli and foreign officials.

Israeli and foreign officials also believe the court is considering arrest warrants for Hamas leaders.

According to two of the officials, who requested anonymity, the Israelis might be accused of preventing the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and of providing an excessively harsh response to the attacks orchestrated by Hamas on October 7 once morest Israel. .

The sources also said they believe Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is among those who might be named in a court order.

It is not clear who might be accused of Hamas or what crimes would be cited.

In response to this version, an Israeli government source told the Times of Israel that the government is making a concerted effort to prevent the ICC’s feared plans.

The National Security Council is leading the campaign, according to the source.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also involved.

“We are operating where we can,” said one Israeli diplomat.

The source informed the Israeli newspaper that the main focus of the feared ICC accusations will be that Israel “deliberately starved the Palestinians of Gaza.”

Israel Defense Forces international spokesman Nadav Shoshani held a rare Shabbat briefing for foreign journalists on Israel’s support for the temporary humanitarian pier off Gaza, underscoring the country’s efforts to hinder the ICC’s campaign.

The “New York Times” sources stated that they did not know what phase the process was in.

Any arrest warrant issued by the ICC would require approval by a panel of judges and would not necessarily result in a trial or even the immediate detention of the targets.

Humanitarian aid

Yesterday, Israeli Army spokesman Daniel Hagari said that the amount of humanitarian aid coming into the Gaza Strip right now will increase in the coming days, including food, water, medical supplies and shelter equipment.

“In recent weeks, the amount of aid in Gaza has increased significantly. In the coming days, it will continue to increase further,” she said in an appearance.

On the other hand, the President of the United States, Joe Biden, spoke yesterday with Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the “ongoing negotiations” to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, the White House reported.

In a phone call, they also discussed the increase in the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian enclave and the opening of a new crossing to the north of the Strip this week, according to a statement released by Washington.

The American leader “underscored the need to continue progress” in the entry of aid and to improve coordination with humanitarian organizations.

Talks

The latest proposal for a pause in hostilities, put forward in several rounds of talks in Qatar and Egypt, includes a six-week cessation of hostilities and the release of some hostages by Hamas in exchange for the handover of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. in Israeli prisons.

A Hamas delegation, led by political bureau member Khalil al Haya, is expected to arrive today in Cairo, mediator in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group, to deliver its response to negotiators, according to a press release. Egyptian side, who asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue.