Israeli military officers now have to think twice before going to Europe amid concerns over possible arrestments on foreign soils, local news service Ynet reported Monday.
An advisory has been issued that officers planning trips to Europe, whether for business or pleasure, should contact the Office of Judge Advocate General, the military judicial body, before leaving Israel, said the report, adding that some of them may be instructed to cancel their travels, Xinhua reported.
The amber light was given in light of Israel's concern that international arrest warrants may be issued against officers who were involved in the recent Israeli operation in the Gaza Strip on charges of war crimes, according to the report.
International human rights groups are believed to be gathering evidence for possible suits both with the International Court of Justice in The Hague and in local European courts, Ynet reported.
Israel has good chances to thwart such attempts in The Hague, while it is much more difficult to do so in local courts, added the report, noting that many European courts hear cases of alleged war crimes committed in other countries.
The officers might face an even darker prospect after the devastation in the Palestinian enclave is revealed to the world, the report quoted political sources as saying.
During Israel's three-week massive offensive in Gaza, over 1, 300 Palestinians were killed, including hundreds of women and children. Of the over 5,500 wounded, a majority are also women and children.
In response to condemnation over the heavy civilian casualties, Israel has repeatedly stressed that Hamas should be responsible because it used Gazans as human shields.
