Gantz says hundreds of IDF soldiers, himself included, could be in ICC’s crosshairs

Defense Minister Benny Gantz tells Reuters that Jerusalem estimates that hundreds of its soldiers might become subject to war crimes probes at the International Criminal Court thanks to last month’s decision by The Hague’s pre-trial chamber deeming that it has jurisdiction to probe Israel and the Palestinians for alleged crimes that take place in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.

Gantz, admitting that he himself could fall into the ICC’s crossshairs, says his office has already begun working to protect such higher-ranking soldiers.

“I was never afraid to go across enemy lines, I will continue to stand wherever I have to,” he tells Reuters.

Gantz calls the ICC ruling a “negative development” adding, “We have our own teams working in different (places) to try (and) influence (the ICC).”

Gantz was IDF chief of staff during the 2014 Gaza war, which could be probed by the ICC as a result of last month’s ruling.