Israel asks Dutch to drop case against Gantz over Gaza war bombing

The Justice Ministry says the government has asked a Dutch court to dismiss war crimes allegations against Benny Gantz, an ex-IDF chief who is challenging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the April elections.

A Dutch-Palestinian man originally from the Gaza Strip is suing Gantz and former air force chief, Amir Eshel, for their roles in an airstrike on his family’s home that killed six relatives. The dead included a 72-year-old woman and a 12-year-old child.

The airstrike on the Zeyada family home happened during a 2014 war between Israel and the Hamas terror group.

Israel says four Hamas fighters, including three family members, were killed in the airstrike. It says the attack was permissible under international law and argues the Dutch court does not have jurisdiction.

The ministry announces the request earlier today.

— Agencies

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