Biden calls ICC's bid to have Netanyahu arrested 'outrageous'

President Joe Biden offered heavy criticism Monday of the International Criminal Court after the judicial body applied for arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leaders.

"The ICC prosecutor’s application for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders is outrageous," Biden said. "And let me be clear: whatever this prosecutor might imply, there is no equivalence – none – between Israel and Hamas. We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security."

Biden's support comes after the United States paused a bomb shipment to Israel before it invaded the Gaza Strip city of Rafah over humanitarian concerns surrounding the long-awaited operation.

Hamas in October 2023 launched a deadly terror attack from Gaza on Israel, which almost immediately declared war on the Palestinian-backed Hamas. 

The ICC also filed arrest warrants for Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas leaders Yehia Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh, the latter of whom lives in Qatar.

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