Israel was hit by an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip on October 7, with Hamas movement's troops infiltrating border areas. On October 8, the Israeli government announced that it had invoked Article 40 of the Basic Law, which means the country was officially in a state of war.

US Congress Reportedly Drafting Bill Against ICC if Warrants Issued to Israeli Officials

09:01, 30 April 2024

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US lawmakers are drafting legislation designed to retaliate against the International Criminal Court should it issue arrest warrants to senior Israeli officials over alleged war crimes in Gaza, the US media reported.

Sputnik

The report said that the legislation could include sanctions against certain ICC officials.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly asked President Joe Biden to intervene to try to block any potential arrest warrants against Israeli officials.

Earlier in the day, the White House said the ICC has no jurisdiction and does not support its investigation.

Israel-Palestine Escalation

ICC May Issue Arrest Warrants for Israel's Netanyahu, Gallant This Week, Reports Say

29 April, 18:33

The US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that the United States does not interfere in the work of the ICC amid concerns over the possibility the ICC may issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials.

"It's an independent organization and their efforts are being undertaken without any contact or interference by the US," Thomas-Greenfield said in a press briefing.

Earlier on Monday, US media reported, citing an Israeli official familiar with the matter, that the ICC may issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and other senior officials as early as this week.