Gantz says IDF forces worked hard to prevent civilian casualties while still defending the country. He called the possible charges an unnecessary, unilateral step and said Israel has the ability to investigate incidents when needed. Gantz spoke to reporters after a Pentagon meeting with Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian UN ambassador said the prosecutor of the ICC can immediately start examining allegations of war crimes against Israel if she chooses.
Riyadh Mansour said the Palestinians formal acceptance of the court's jurisdiction starting June 13, 2014 gives prosecutor Fatou Bensouda a green light to take up the question of alleged war crimes on Palestinian territory without waiting for Palestine to formally become a member of the court on April 1.
Fadi El Abdallah, a spokesman for the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands, confirmed that the prosecutor can now in theory begin a "preliminary examination" of potential cases in the Palestinian territories. Those could include allegations of crimes during last summer's Gaza war and Israeli settlements.
The UN accepted a request by observer state Palestine to join the ICC, effective April 1. Israel is not a member. Israel retaliated for the Palestinian move to join the ICC by freezing the transfer of more than $100 million a month in taxes it collects for the Palestinians.