Israel asks ICC judges to withdraw Netanyahu arrest warrant

Israel has asked judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) to withdraw arrest warrants against its prime minister and defence minister while the ICC reviews Israeli challenges to its jurisdiction over the conduct of the Gaza war.

Documents published on the ICC website late on Sunday also show Israel has asked the court to order the prosecution to suspend its investigation into crimes in the Palestinian Territories.

The documents are dated 9 May and signed by Israeli Deputy Attorney General Gilad Noam.

The ICC issued arrest warrants on 21 November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence chief, as well as Hamas leader Ibrahim al-Masri for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity since 7 October 2023.

The judges had withdrawn the arrest warrant for al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif, in February following credible reports of his death.