US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has issued a warning to American allies, stating they could face sanctions if they assist the International Criminal Court (ICC) in apprehending Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“To any ally — Canada, Britain, Germany, France — if you attempt to aid the ICC, we will impose sanctions,” Graham declared during an appearance on Fox News. When pressed about the specifics of these sanctions, he reiterated his stance, asserting that the US should “crush” the economies of nations that back the ICC’s initiatives.

On Thursday, the ICC announced arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Galant, citing alleged war crimes in the Gaza Strip. The court also rejected Israel’s claims regarding its jurisdiction over such matters. Israel has persistently contested the ICC’s authority to address cases concerning Palestine. US President Joe Biden described the ICC’s ruling as “outrageous.”

Since October 1, Israel has been engaged in a ground offensive against Hezbollah forces in southern Lebanon, alongside ongoing airstrikes in the region, which have resulted in over 2,500 fatalities, including key figures from the Shiite movement, and displaced more than a million individuals. Despite suffering losses, including among its command staff, Hezbollah continues to engage in ground combat and maintains its rocket attacks on Israeli territory.

On October 7, 2023, Israel experienced an unprecedented rocket assault originating from the Gaza Strip. Following this, Hamas militants breached the border, engaging in gunfire against both military personnel and civilians, and taking over 200 individuals hostage. Authorities reported that approximately 1,200 people lost their lives on the Israeli side.

In retaliation, the Israel Defense Forces initiated Operation Iron Swords, which involved strikes on civilian locations and declared a total blockade of the Gaza Strip, halting the flow of water, electricity, fuel, food, and medical supplies. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that since the onset of the conflict, more than 43,500 Palestinians have died, with over 102,000 sustaining injuries.