Netanyahu to be arrested: Irish PM

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris has said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be arrested if he visits Ireland under an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged human rights violations and war crimes in Gaza. Simon Harris made the comments after the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Thursday.

"We support the International Criminal Court and will ensure that their warrants are implemented," Harris added. "Yes, of course he will be arrested," he insisted, adding that the Irish government would comply with the court's orders.

The ICC warrant indicts Netanyahu and Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. They are accused of using starvation as a weapon of war and deliberately targeting civilians. The Israeli prime minister has called the move "unreasonable and false".

Meanwhile, the ICC has also issued a warrant for Hamas's top military commander, Mohammed Deif, although he is said to have been killed in an Israeli strike in July. Hamas has yet to comment on his death.

Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin said he disagreed with US President Joe Biden's call for the ICC warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant as "outrageous". Martin added that the crimes committed in Gaza could be considered genocide because they were carried out against civilians.

In the meantime, relations between Ireland and Israel are at a high point, especially since Ireland recognised Palestine as a state, which has prompted a response from Israel.