Israel's Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, condemned the International Criminal Court's recent decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

The warrants, which accuse the leaders of crimes against humanity and war crimes from October 2023 to May 2024, were labeled a 'dark moment' and a 'dangerous precedent' by Azar.

The ICC also issued a warrant for Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif. Azar argues that the court's actions, perceived as politically motivated, threaten Israel's self-defense and efforts toward peace in West Asia.

Despite Israel's claim of Deif's death in a July airstrike, Hamas has not confirmed this.

As a non-member of the ICC, Israel asserts that the court lacks authority over its elected leaders.

Although the ICC cannot enforce these warrants, countries that have ratified the Rome Statute may be obliged to arrest the accused if they travel there.

The conflict, initiated by a deadly Hamas raid on Israel on October 7, 2022, has resulted in extensive casualties in Gaza, as reported by the Hamas health ministry, and ongoing military operations involving Hezbollah in Lebanon.