Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has expressed confidence that the United States will impose measures against the International Criminal Court (ICC) after it issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The warrants accuse them of war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the Gaza conflict.

Speaking during a visit to the Czech Republic, Sa’ar suggested that the U.S. would soon introduce legislation to punish the ICC and any entities cooperating with it. He mentioned that several countries, including the U.S., were dismayed by the ICC’s actions. Israel, meanwhile, plans to appeal the court’s decision.

Sa’ar reiterated Israel’s stance on the Gaza war, which began with the Hamas attack on October 7. He affirmed that Israel’s goal is to return hostages held by Hamas and ensure the group no longer controls Gaza. While acknowledging that peace is “inevitable,” he stressed that it cannot be based on “illusions” and assured that Israel does not intend to control civilian life in Gaza.

The ICC’s move has intensified the political debate surrounding Israel’s military actions, with key allies, including the U.S., closely monitoring the situation.