The International Criminal Court Thursday issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip. The ICC's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, announced in May that he would pursue such orders for the top Israeli leaders.

Despite strong legal objections from Israel, the court rejected jurisdictional challenges, stating there were "reasonable grounds to believe" that Netanyahu and Gallant were responsible for alleged violations of international law between Oct. 8, 2023, and May 20, 2024.

The ICC arrest warrants are a mark of shame not of Israel's leaders but of the ICC itself, and its members.

On October 7th, Hamas brutally attacked Israel, murdering, burning alive and raping over 1200 Israelis.

Israel is fighting back the most just of wars against pure evil.…

— Naftali Bennett נפתלי בנט (@naftalibennett) November 21, 2024

The practical implications remain limited. While Netanyahu and Gallant could face travel restrictions in certain Western nations that recognize ICC jurisdiction, they face no such constraints in the United States, Russia, and numerous other countries that are not signatories to the ICC statute.

The allegations against Netanyahu and Gallant include the war crime of using starvation as a method of warfare by restricting essential supplies in Gaza, crimes against humanity including murder through conditions leading to civilian deaths from malnutrition, persecution through depriving fundamental rights, and inhumane acts for preventing medical supplies.

Condemnations began to pour in almost instantly, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling the move "a modern-day Dreyfus trial that will end the same."

"Israel rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions and charges against it by the International Criminal Court, which is a biased and discriminatory political body. There is no war more just than the one that Israel has been waging in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, after the Hamas terror organization launched a murderous attack against it, committing the greatest massacre against the Jewish people since the Holocaust," he said.

This is a dark day for justice. A dark day for humanity.

Taken in bad faith, the outrageous decision at the ICC has turned universal justice into a universal laughing stock. It makes a mockery of the sacrifice of all those who fight for justice - from the Allied victory over…

— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) November 21, 2024

Defense Minister Israel Katz condemned the ICC for supporting "a biased prosecutor rather than confronting those seeking Israel's destruction," vowing that Israel would act powerfully in all arenas to counter any threats.

President Isaac Herzog criticized the court for ignoring both the Israeli hostages held by Hamas and Israel's right to self-defense as a democracy following a brutal attack. He called it "a cynical exploitation of international legal institutions" in the face of Iranian efforts to destabilize the region.

Former Prime Minister Bennett called the warrants "a mark of shame" for the ICC, not Israel's leaders, emphasizing the unified Israeli response to Hamas's Oct. 7 attack.

Opposition Leader Lapid echoed this sentiment, saying the warrants effectively "reward terrorism."

The decision by the International Criminal Court in The Hague to issue arrest warrants against Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Gallant is a moral disgrace, entirely tainted by antisemitism, and drags the international judicial system to an unprecedented low.…

— ישראל כ"ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) November 21, 2024

Similarly, State Party Chairman Benny Gantz called the decision "moral blindness and a historic disgrace," while former UN Ambassador Gilan Erdan described it as evidence of a "broken and immoral international system" that empowers terrorists while constraining democracies.

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid tweeted, "I condemn The Hague court's decision. Israel is defending its life against terror organizations that attacked, murdered, and raped our citizens. These arrest warrants amount to a reward for terrorism."

Shortly after the announcement, Dutch news agency ANP reported – quoting the country's foreign minister – that the Netherlands was prepared to act upon the ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu.

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With the war against Hezbollah in northern Israel intensifying, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant toured the northern border and noted that Israel was going to "use all its capabilities" in its war against the terrorist organization, just hours after the Wall Street Journal said Israel was already conducting pinpointed ground incursions in southern Lebanon. The discussions centered on the importance of facilitating the safe return of northern residents to their homes, while also acknowledging the progress made in the ongoing conflict. Following this, Gallant met with soldiers from the 188th and Golani Brigades, alluding to a potential ground invasion.

Addressing the local leaders at the meeting's outset, Gallant stated, "A month ago, we gathered here, and I want to provide an update. Two weeks ago, we initiated a series of strikes against Hezbollah, which successfully disrupted their command structure and foiled numerous planned operations. We're now in a different position – the IDF has only showcased a fraction of its capabilities against Hezbollah. We've managed to wear down their fighters and create a situation where they're unable to make coherent decisions. Their territory is under threat and has sustained damage. We've significantly disrupted their chain of command. It will take them years to recover, and while we're aware they'll attempt to rebuild, we're committed to thwarting those efforts as well."

Following the meeting, Moshe Davidovich, head of the Mateh Asher Regional Council and chairman of the Northern Confrontation Line Forum, remarked, "I extend my gratitude to the defense minister for visiting Mateh Asher today to meet with the Northern Confrontation Line Forum leaders. Interior Minister Moshe Arbel also joined us, offering support and commending the defense minister for his performance and resolute stance, as well as praising the IDF and security forces."

Davidovich elaborated on the meeting's agenda, saying: "The Minister provided a comprehensive briefing on the IDF's recent operations in Lebanon, the dismantling of Hezbollah, and various ongoing actions. I emphasized to the Minister the critical importance of continuing operations along the border fence to neutralize the threat, as this is essential for our residents to safely return home. I brought up the Northern Shield plan announced in 2018 and urged for its implementation. Our residents require a sense of security upon their return, and this war has unequivocally demonstrated that without this plan, there's no hope for the north's future. These are core issues that must be addressed even amidst the ongoing war, as they are key to fortifying the confrontation line!"

Subsequently, Gallant visited the northern border, where he met with troops from the 188th and Golani Brigades. He received a detailed briefing from Brigadier General Kobi Heller, commander of the Ground Forces Training Center, and Colonel Or Volozhinski, commander of the 188th Brigade, regarding the forces' preparedness for a potential escalation in the border region.

Addressing the soldiers, Gallant stated, "While eliminating Nasrallah is a crucial step, it's not the entire picture. We will employ all our capabilities, and if anyone on the other side misunderstands what we mean by capabilities, it encompasses everything – and you are integral to this effort. We have full confidence in your ability to execute any task."

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is quietly considering a major shake-up in his cabinet, eyeing Foreign Minister Israel Katz as a potential replacement for Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Israel Hayom has learned.

The behind-the-scenes deliberations, ongoing for the past two weeks, come amid growing tensions between Netanyahu and Gallant, with the potential reshuffle raising questions about the stability of Israel's defense leadership at a time of heightened regional tensions.

Sources close to the matter indicate that Katz, who took over as foreign minister just months ago as part of a rotation agreement with Bezalel Smotrich (now finance minister), is reluctant to give up his current post.

Netanyahu's team initially floated Gideon Sa'ar as a possible successor to Gallant, a move that would have strengthened the Coalition's parliamentary position. However, the prime minister's inner circle remains wary of the New Hope chairman, citing trust issues. This led them to explore other options, including Katz.

The potential appointment of Katz to the defense portfolio was part of a broader Cabinet reshuffle plan. The proposal aimed to bring Sa'ar into the Coalition, but in a less influential role than defense minister to curb his power relative to Netanyahu. The suggested reshuffle would have seen Sa'ar take over the Justice Ministry, current Justice Minister Yariv Levin move to the Foreign Ministry, and Katz assume the defense post. However, this complex arrangement failed to gain support from either Katz or Sa'ar.

Sa'ar has repeatedly stated in media interviews that he hasn't received an offer for the defense ministry role and denies any ongoing talks with Likud. Still, the lawmaker keeps his options open, saying, "I'm not tying my hands in any way."

Insiders reveal that Netanyahu was ready to oust Gallant following his recent successful US visit, which typically would have strengthened the prime minister's position. However, security incidents in Majdal Shams – where a Hezbollah rocket hit on a soccer field killed 12 children – and escalating tensions with Iran have put these plans on hold.

At its core, Netanyahu's desire to replace Gallant remains strong. The main considerations now are timing and whether the prime minister has moved past his concerns about potential public backlash. These concerns stem from the widespread protests that erupted last year when Netanyahu attempted to dismiss Gallant, leading to a dramatic reversal of the decision.

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Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has expressed his continued support for IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, stating that he has no intention of replacing the military's top leader while security threats persist along Israel's northern border. This stance comes amid ongoing tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon and internal discussions about accountability for the Oct. 7 Hamas onslaught.

In recent closed-door conversations, the contents of which were obtained by Israel Hayom, Gallant reportedly stated, "I trust the chief of staff and have confidence in him. I don't intend to replace him while there's an open front in the north."

Even eight months after Oct. 7, it appears the defense minister believes there is still no place for leadership changes at the top of the defense establishment while the war has not ended, and there remains a significant chance that Israel may engage in a campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

These statements from Gallant are significant and may result in Halevi continuing to lead the IDF for many more months or even longer if a prolonged campaign in Lebanon develops. This is alongside the fact that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Gallant, and the rest of the political echelon are not even considering the option of resigning due to their responsibility for the failure that led to the massacre.

According to media reports, Halevi had indicated the completion of IDF investigations into the Oct. 7 events as a time when he could step down, with estimates pointing to around September.

Now, as Israel moves towards "Phase 3," which is seen as the official end of intense fighting in Gaza, many expect Halevi and Shin Bet head Ronen Bar to resign from their positions, following their declarations of taking responsibility for the failure. Halevi could certainly resign and request to end his role, but it seems that if it depends on Gallant as he may ask the chief of staff to stay as long as it's unclear how the situation in the north will develop.

Military sources told Israel Hayom, "If the chief of staff resigns now, before it's clear what's happening in the north, it will lead to the resignation of all the senior officials under him who were connected to the failure – and it will shake up the army. This needs to be managed professionally. The IDF cannot undergo upheaval when there's still a possibility of an all-out war in the north."

The resignations of Halevi and Bar have political significance. Government ministers from Likud and Religious Zionism believe the two should have resigned long ago. However, their resignations would lead to public demand for the Prime Minister and the entire government to resign as well. In other words, the pressure would escalate.

On the other hand, the opposition and protest leaders fear that if the chief of staff and shin bet head resign, the government will remain and appoint its own people in their place – essentially, political appointments. This is more related to the Shin Bet chief, who is appointed by the prime minister and has a direct connection to democratic components in the state.

Regarding the chief of staff, the leading candidate to replace Halevi is Defense Ministry Director-General Eyal Zamir. In the case of the chief of staff's resignation, the question arises: Does the government, which was responsible for the failure, even have a public mandate to appoint the next military leader who will rehabilitate the army?

Gallant's office responded, "We do not comment on closed conversations and regret leaks from them."

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The Defense Ministry finalized Tuesday a massive $3 billion agreement with the US government to acquire a third squadron of F-35 stealth fighter jets for the Israel Air Force. The deal followed committee approval after Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich reached an accord last week.  

The purchase highlights Israel's push to dramatically expand its aerial capabilities amid regional tensions. As reported by Israel Hayom in January, the plan calls for Israel to buy four more squadrons of advanced fighter jets and two combat helicopter squadrons in a series of deals potentially worth tens of billions of dollars.

The deal was signed by Brigadier General (Ret.) Mishel Ben Baruch, head of the Defense Ministry's US procurement delegation. It covers 25 F-35s manufactured by Lockheed Martin, along with support and maintenance. Once delivered, Israel's fleet of the world's most advanced stealth fighters will grow to 75 aircraft. Deliveries to the IAF will begin in 2028 at a rate of 3 to 5 jets annually.

Funded by $3 billion in US aid, the agreement requires Lockheed Martin and engine-maker Pratt & Whitney to involve Israeli companies in the production of the F-35s sold to other nations, per an earlier government-to-government pact.

"This procurement underscores the strength of the strategic US-Israel alliance and its far-ranging impact across regions near and far," Gallant said. "At a time when rivals hope to weaken our profound bond with our greatest ally, our security and strategic ties with the United States receive meaningful reinforcement, sending a resounding message to all our regional adversaries."

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National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant locked horns Tuesday during a Diplomatic-Security Meeting on the ongoing wave of terrorism in Israel.

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Ben-Gvir urged to place more checkpoints throughout Judea and Samaria, impose closures and partial lockdowns on Palestinian villages and rescind entry permits for Palestinian workers. He also called to tighten the conditions of Palestinian security prisoners in Israeli jails as well as carrying out targeted assassinations of Palestinian terror leaders in the West Bank.

Video: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the site of the Hebron drive-by shooting / Credit: Twitter

Gallant pushed back, saying, "There is a danger of friction and you have to pay attention to it. It used to be a few dozen [terrorists] and today it is already hundreds."

Ben Gvir fired back, saying, "I feel like I'm in an imaginary film. People are being murdered, including a mother in front of her daughter. A few days ago a father and his son were gunned down, and you keep talking about the danger of friction and the danger of [Jewish] nationalist crime. Are we crazy? I'm starting to think we're in Switzerland as if these are our only problems. This meeting is about terrorism. We need to come up with operative measures for what to do to combat terrorism and not deal with nonsense."

The Prime Minister's Office said in a statement that the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet "made a series of decisions to target terrorists and those who dispatch them and authorized the prime and defense ministers to act on the matter."

"The forum supports the commanders and soldiers of the IDF and security services in their activities against the terrorist elements," it said without elaborating what measures would be taken.

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Dispelling worries about the IDF's readiness for war in light of protests by reservists, a senior political official assured Wednesday that the military was ready for any security development, "at least in the next two months – be it a war in the north or a flare-up in Gaza."

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The official said that the IDF's current readiness for war was "almost complete," but noted that its preparedness might be compromised down the line if soldiers and officers continue to skip out on reserve duty.

Video: IDF operation in the West Bank / Credit: Arab media

Addressing recent media reports, which accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of ignoring reports of risks posed to the readiness of the military and holding back information on the severity of the crisis, the official said that the premier actually monitored the situation regularly.

The official said that only four individuals knew the full scope of the service refusal – Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and their military secretaries. The four are updated on the matter every three days, with a comprehensive assessment situation held weekly.

"The claims that the prime minister is unaware of the situation or is hiding information are baseless. He receives constant updates on the numbers and data, including in writing. The prime minister also responded swiftly to two requests by IDF Chief of Staff [Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi] to meet to discuss the subject," the official said.

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Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned Hezbollah and its leader Hassan Nasrallah Tuesday that Israel "will not hesitate to use all our power" against the Lebanese terror group.

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"I warn Hezbollah, Nasrallah – not to make a mistake. You have made mistakes in the past, you have paid very heavy prices. If heaven forbid, an escalation or conflict develops here, we will return Lebanon to the Stone Age. We will not hesitate to use all our power, and wear down every inch of Hezbollah and Lebanon if we have to," Gallant said while touring Israel's northern border with Lebanon.

He also "stressed the importance of speeding up the construction of the [security] barrier," and strengthening Israeli forces "in the face of the growing challenges" in the area.

"I arrived this morning at the northern border, in order to closely follow the events that have been happening here lately. I met here with the commanders of the IDF and the fighters - we have excellent commanders and determined fighters," Gallant said.

The defense minister visited the "Galil" Division 91 together with the commander of the Northern Command, Maj. Gen. Uri Gordin, and other senior officers, where he "observed and assessed the situation in the Har Dov region, and spoke about the latest developments in the sector."

Gallant was also given "an overview of the defense efforts being made along the border, and of the progress of the construction of the barrier that is being carried out these days," an official statement said.

He stressed that Israel "will know how to protect its citizens in any way. The enemy needs to understand that when it comes to Israel's security - we are all united. Make no mistakes, we do not want war, but we are ready to protect our citizens, our soldiers, and our sovereignty."

This article was first published by i24NEWS.

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Political officials stressed this week that contrary to recent media reports, they will address the latest incident with Hezbollah, namely the terror group setting up a tent in the Israeli territory north of the Blue Line.

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In a recent confidential meeting, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told members of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that the move by Hezbollah – led by Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah – did not pose a security risk that would require immediate action.

Video: Hezbollah films IDF chief during visit to northern border

"These are provocations and a violation of sovereignty, so we will deal with it at a time of our choosing," Gallant said.

According to defense officials, the current policy is to refrain from being dragged into a confrontation with the terror group and respond to events case-by-case.

Similarly, National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said in an interview on Monday that the development did not endanger Israel's security, and called the move "childish."

Nevertheless, he stressed that the tent and a series of other recent Hezbollah provocations in Israel pointed to a "weakening in the policy of self-restraint" that the terror group adopted after the 2006 war with Israel. Most recently, it published footage of IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi and other military officials, on the northern border without protective gear. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also addressed the matter in a cabinet meeting on Sunday, saying, "On a day of decision, he will find us standing together shoulder to shoulder. Nasrallah also knows that he and Lebanon shouldn't test us."

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In a call with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant Tuesday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin called for political consensus in Israel over the judicial reform.

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Earlier this week, the Knesset ratified an initial bill aimed at curbing the power of the Supreme Court following months of internal unrest over the proposal and appeals from the US and other countries to hold off and negotiate with the Opposition.

Video: Anti-reform demonstrations outside the Supreme Court

The demonstrations also affected the IDF, with protest leaders citing growing numbers of military reservists who say they would no longer report for duty if the government pressed ahead with its plans.

Former Israeli top brass have warned that Israel's war-readiness, with Arab and Iranian enemies spread across the Middle East, could be at risk.

"Austin underscored the United States' belief that broad consensus through political dialogue, especially in the coming weeks and months, are critical elements of a resilient democracy," a Pentagon readout of the call said.

The readout did not directly address protests by IDF reservists, and Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh declined to say during a news conference whether Austin raised any concerns he might have about impacts on Israeli military readiness in the call.

The White House on Monday called it "unfortunate" that the Knesset ratified part of the contested legislation.

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