Israel's prime minister and former defence minister strongly deny allegations of war crimes in Gaza.

The Prime Minister of Israel noted that the State of Israel denies both the authority of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the legitimacy of the arrest warrants that have been issued against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

Israel has announced its decision to appeal against International Criminal Court arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant. The warrants relate to their alleged actions during the Gaza conflict.

The leaders are accused of crimes against humanity and war crimes over the war in Gaza and the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

The court also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas’ military leader, Mohammad Deif, who the Israeli military says was killed in the summer; Hamas has not confirmed his death.

ICC prosecutor Karim Khan had announced on May 20 that he was seeking arrest warrants for alleged crimes connected to the Hamas-led attacks on Israel and the Israeli military response in Gaza. Israeli and Hamas leaders have dismissed allegations that they committed war crimes.

The ICC announced it was seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes.

The charges are based on allegations that Israel starved civilians in Gaza. Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif was also charged.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Thursday he believed the United States would punish the International Criminal Court for having issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister.