Weekly Israeli Bites
Good morning, and welcome to Weekly Israeli Bites.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) said Thursday it has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, alleging they committed war crimes and crimes against humanity during the offensive in Gaza.
The ICC is a special court that functions based on state accession. Israel was an active participant in promoting the establishment of the court. Still, after the court’s foundational statute was hijacked and politicized to single out Israel specifically, the decision was made that Israel would not join the court.
The International Criminal Court in The Hague has completely lost its legitimacy. It has been used as a political instrument by the most radical elements aiming to destabilize peace, security, and stability in the Middle East. The outrageous warrants issued against Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Galant are not just personal attacks; they fundamentally challenge Israel's right to self-defense.
This situation represents a direct assault on one of the most threatened and targeted nations globally, which is also the only country in the region that openly faces threats and actions from other nations seeking its destruction. Morally speaking, this constitutes a moral crisis that inverts good into evil and bolsters the forces of malevolence.
Experience has shown that the International Criminal Court (ICC), in its efforts to appease the Palestinians and vilify Israel, has been willing to disregard facts and the law and even make decisions lacking any jurisdiction. The prosecutor and the court have been willing to adopt factual and legal positions devoid of any basis, recognizing a state (the Palestinian one) that does not exist and inventing its geographical territory in explicit contradiction of multiple legally binding documents.
The White House expressed its strong disapproval of the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing allegations of war crimes in Gaza.
In response, certain lawmakers, including Donald Trump’s appointed national security adviser, called for sanctions against the ICC. Reports indicate that Israel is collaborating with the incoming administration to consider punitive actions against the court.
Arena overview
Northern border
This morning, the IAF carried out more intelligence-based strikes on Hezbollah targets in Dahieh, a significant stronghold for the group in Beirut. The operations targeted multiple Hezbollah command centers and other terrorist infrastructure. According to the al-Arabiya news site, the strikes aimed to eliminate top Hezbollah commander Muhammad Haydar, a report later verified by an Israeli defense official speaking to the Kan public broadcaster.
The attack in central Beirut reportedly involved bunker-buster bombs and coincided with the Israeli Air Force’s multiple waves of strikes on Hezbollah positions in Dahiyah, located in southern Beirut. In anticipation of these strikes, the Israel Defense Forces issued evacuation warnings.
IDF troops continue to operate to dismantle significant Hezbollah terrorist centers, which include combat compounds, anti-tank positions, numerous weapons storage facilities containing grenades, firearms, combat equipment, observation posts, and more.
A recent IDF airstrike in Syria killed a senior Hezbollah commander who helped plan an Iranian-led attack that killed five US soldiers in Iraq in 2007. Daqduq was detained by US forces soon after the 2007 attack, in which Iran-backed gunmen disguised as an American security team infiltrated the joint American-Iraqi military base in Karbala, fired a grenade that killed a US soldier, and captured four others, whom they later shot dead.
Southern border
Operations of the Kfir Brigade Against Terrorist Operatives and Infrastructure in the Beit Lahia Area in Northern Gaza
Over the past week, the Kfir Brigade Combat Team has been operating against terrorist infrastructure and operatives in the area of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip. The troops eliminated dozens of terrorists in close-quarters encounters and through targeted strikes. Additionally, the troops uncovered underground tunnel shafts and located large weapons stockpiles.
In recent days, seven IDF soldiers have fallen in combat in the area: SSGT Orr Katz, SSGT Nave Yair Asulin, SSGT Gary Lalhruaikima Zolat, SSGT Ofir Eliyahu, SSF (res.) Idan Kenan, CPT Yogev Pazy and SSGT Noam Eitan.
On Tuesday, during a visit to Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a $5 million reward for anyone who can help release Israeli hostages taken by Hamas and other terrorist groups. This offer also includes a guaranteed safe passage from Gaza. “Anyone who brings us a hostage will have an open door for themselves and their family to depart, plus we will provide a $5 million reward for each hostage,” the prime minister stated. He had previously indicated that Israel would pay “several millions” for their safe return.
To aid in gathering intelligence, Israel has launched a basic Arabic-language website named Machtoffin, which means “captives” in Arabic.
Observations
The Senate on Wednesday voted down an effort led by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to block a series of planned U.S. weapons sales to Israel. The failure highlights the widespread bipartisan support on Capitol Hill for U.S. military assistance to Israel.
A resolution to block the sale of tank rounds was rejected by a vote of 79 to 18.
The White House actively lobbied against the effort to block the arms sales. "We strongly oppose this resolution, and we have made our position clear to interested senators," a White House National Security Council spokesperson said. Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell urged his colleagues not to support the resolutions. "Those who mourn senseless human suffering should have no trouble assigning blame to the terrorists who exploit civilians, schools, hospitals, and mosques as cover," he said.