Netanyahu condemns ICC arrest warrant as Gaza death toll exceeds 44000
The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister, and Hamas officials, accusing them of war crimes. This comes as the death toll in Gaza surpasses 44,000 amid ongoing conflict. Netanyahu condemned the warrants, calling them absurd and false, while Hamas welcomed the decision as a historic precedent. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that over half of the casualties are women and children, with many bodies still buried under rubble. In related developments, the Dutch foreign minister stated that the Netherlands would arrest Netanyahu if he visits. Meanwhile, Cyprus's president urged the EU to take a more active role in the Middle East, emphasizing the region's importance to European security.