CONCERN is growing amongst Israeli officials that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be charged with war crimes by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
According to the New York Times, at least five Israeli and foreign officials believe the ICC is preparing to issue arrests warrants for a number of government figures, including Netanyahu.
It’s also believed the court is considering arrest warrants for Hamas leaders.
Prosecutors from the ICC were seen interviewing staff from Gaza’s largest hospitals, according to Reuters.
It is the first confirmation that ICC investigators have been speaking to medical professionals in Gaza about potential crimes they may have witnessed.
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One source told Reuters that they believe events surrounding hospitals could become part of the ICC’s investigation, potentially leading to charges against individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide or aggression.
So far, the ICC’s office of the prosecutor has refused to comment citing concerns over the safety of witnesses.
One Israeli government source told the New York Times that potential arrest warrants had influenced decision-making in recent weeks.
However, on Friday Netanyahu himself said in a statement on social media that any charges brought by the ICC "would set a dangerous precedent that threatens the soldiers and officials of all democracies fighting savage terrorism and wanton aggression".
He added: “Under my leadership, Israel will never accept any attempt by the ICC to undermine its inherent right of self-defense.
“The threat to seize the soldiers and officials of the Middle East’s only democracy and world’s only Jewish state is outrageous.
“We will not bow to it”.
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It comes as rising temperatures in Gaza increase fears of disease as millions still struggle to survive with a lack of clean water and waste disposal.
Reports suggest that piles of waste are attracting more insects and rodents, which could spread infectious diseases to Gazans with no permanent residence.
The UN states that around 1.2 million people continue to shelter in tents in and around the city of Rafah.
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