Israeli prime minister to travel to Hungary despite ICC arrest warrant

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to travel to Hungary on April 2, despite facing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the Gaza conflict.

Netanyahu’s office confirmed the trip, which will include meetings with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and other senior Hungarian officials. He is scheduled to return to Israel on April 6, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

The ICC warrant, issued earlier this year, accuses Netanyahu of involvement in war crimes during Israel's military operations in Gaza, which were sparked by the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The attack resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of 251 others. Since the escalation of the conflict, more than 50,000 people have been killed in Gaza, with the majority of the population displaced.

Hungary, a member of the European Union, has expressed that it does not recognize the authority of the ICC, which has raised questions about the enforcement of the arrest warrant in Hungary. Le Monde reported that Hungary considers itself not obligated to follow ICC decisions, positioning itself as a key ally of Israel in the region.

The ongoing conflict, which has seen several ceasefire attempts, remains fragile. A ceasefire brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States recently collapsed, with Israeli forces resuming airstrikes and ground incursions. On the first day of Eid al-Fitr, a new Israeli strike reportedly killed eight people, including five children, amid the continued violence.

As the situation continues to develop, mediators are working to broker another ceasefire and secure the release of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. Despite these diplomatic efforts, the path to lasting peace remains uncertain.

By Vafa Guliyeva