Italy, the Netherlands, and Canada have declared their intent to comply with the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The ICC issued these warrants on Thursday, accusing Netanyahu and Gallant of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza conflict.

A similar warrant was issued for Mohammed Deif, the military leader of Hamas, a Palestinian resistance group. According to the Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto stated that Italy would be obligated to arrest Netanyahu if he entered the country. Speaking on RAI’s Porta a Porta program, Crosetto expressed disagreement with comparing Netanyahu and Gallant to Hamas but acknowledged Italy’s duty under ICC rules.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani affirmed Italy's support for the ICC while emphasizing that its actions must remain legal and not political. He also indicated that Italy would consult its allies on further steps.

This is the first instance of a sitting leader from a major Western nation being accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity by an international tribunal. The ICC alleges that Netanyahu and Gallant are responsible for war crimes, such as starvation, and crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, and inhumane acts.

The ongoing war in Gaza has caused immense destruction, displacing nearly all of the territory's 2.3 million residents and leaving most dependent on humanitarian aid. Local health authorities report over 44,000 Palestinian fatalities, predominantly women and children. The conflict erupted after Hamas launched a cross-border attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths.

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp confirmed that the Netherlands would arrest Netanyahu if he entered Dutch territory, adhering to the Rome Statute. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also emphasized the binding nature of the warrants for EU member states, calling them legal and non-political. Speaking from Jordan, Borrell urged an end to the Gaza crisis and underscored the necessity of respecting the ICC's decisions.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed Canada’s commitment to upholding international law, stating that, as a founding ICC member, the country would comply with the arrest warrants. Speaking near Toronto, Trudeau reiterated the need for a ceasefire, a two-state solution, the release of hostages, and increased humanitarian assistance for Gaza.

The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) welcomed Trudeau’s position, describing it as a meaningful step toward justice for Gaza and Palestine. The NCCM noted that, theoretically, Netanyahu and Gallant could face arrest in Canada, highlighting the importance of adhering to international law and human rights standards.