**UK to Fulfill Legal Obligations if Israeli PM Netanyahu Visits Amid ICC Arrest Warrant**

British authorities have indicated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may face arrest if he travels to the UK following an international arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Downing Street has not commented directly on Netanyahu’s case but announced that the UK government would adhere to its legal commitments.

On Thursday, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Israel's former defence minister Yoav Gallant. These actions compel all member countries, including the UK, to act according to the established treaties. A No. 10 spokesperson was queried about Netanyahu’s potential detention upon arrival in the UK but refrained from addressing hypothetical scenarios, reiterating instead that the government would comply with its obligations under the International Criminal Court Act 2001.

This legislation delineates that if the ICC issues an arrest warrant, a designated minister must pass the request to an appropriate judicial officer, who would then endorse the warrant for execution if it appears valid. The act solidifies the UK’s responsibility to follow both domestic and international laws.

Furthermore, a spokesperson confirmed the UK stands by the legal processes outlined in the act. The exact secretary of state responsible for handling the incident was not disclosed, nor were there answers about whether legal advice from Attorney General Lord Hermer had been sought.

Generally, arrest warrants and extradition requests must pass through a specific team in the Home Office for preliminary checks before action. Ultimately, under UK legislation, the courts have the final authority on arresting and handing over a suspect.

Asked about the UK's willingness to maintain dialogue with Israel, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson emphasized the importance of communications with Israel on various levels, citing the nation as a key partner.

Attorney General Lord Hermer previously asserted that any advice on an ICC arrest warrant would be purely legal, free from political influence, basing decisions strictly on legal analysis and requirements. After the arrest warrants were issued, Downing Street reaffirmed the UK’s respect for the ICC’s independence while pushing for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

In addition to Netanyahu and Gallant, the ICC also issued a warrant for Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif over war crimes related to the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel criticized the ICC's decision, describing it as provocative and urging the government to challenge the court’s ruling.

The new Labour government, having gained power, has dismissed its predecessor’s challenge to the ICC’s authority to issue arrest warrants, leaving the decision to judicial determination. This situation's resolution largely depends on whether the 124 ICC member states, excluding Israel and its ally the US, enforce the warrants.

While US President Joe Biden condemned the arrest warrant as "outrageous," questioning any equivalence between Israel and Hamas, European officials have pledged to implement the court’s decisions. Both Israel and Hamas reject the ICC’s allegations—Netanyahu has labeled the warrant as antisemitic, while Palestinians in Gaza see the ICC’s actions as a step towards justice.