ICC's governing body concerned by US moves to sanction the court

The International Criminal Court's governing body said on Thursday it regretted any attempts to undermine the ICC's independence after US moves to sanction it in protest at its arrest warrants for Israel's prime minister and former defence chief over Israel's war on Gaza.

On his first day in office this week, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order that reinstated an earlier executive order that could serve as a legal basis for future sanctions against the ICC and its personnel.

In a statement, the ICC's governing body said sanctions against the court and its personnel - and anyone assisting them - could severely hamper ongoing investigations.

It said it "regrets any attempts to undermine the court’s independence, integrity and impartiality."