Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide has stated that Norway will detain Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and War Minister Yoav Gallant if the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues arrest warrants against them. In an interview with Norwegian TV-2 on Tuesday, Eide clarified his government's stance, as reported by The Palestine Chronicle.

Eide emphasized that Norwegian law mandates the arrest and transfer to the ICC of any individual against whom the court has issued an arrest warrant. He expects other ICC signatory countries to uphold the same obligation.

This announcement follows ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan's recommendation on Monday for arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant for alleged mass killings in the Gaza Strip. The ICC judges are expected to review this recommendation soon.

In addition to the Israeli officials, Khan recommended arrest warrants for Hamas leaders Ismail Haniya, Yahya Sinwar, and Mohammad Deif. Hamas, however, argues that their fighters defending their territory should not be equated with Israeli forces, whom they accuse of committing genocide in Gaza.

The Israeli government and the U.S. administration have rejected the ICC charges, with U.S. President Joe Biden asserting that Israel is not committing genocide in Gaza.