Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday described the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor's request for arrest warrants against him and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a "disgraceful" bid to interfere in the Gaza conflict.

"The attempt by Prosecutor Karim Khan to deny the State of Israel the right to self-defense and to free its hostages must be rejected out of hand," Gallant said in a post on X, adding the Israel Defense Forces fights in accordance with the rules of international law and takes unique humanitarian efforts.

Khan said Monday that he is applying for arrest warrants for Gallant and Netanyahu for "war crimes and crimes against humanity" committed in Gaza since October 8, 2023, and arrest warrants for three Hamas leaders for "war crimes and crimes against humanity" committed on the territory of Israel and in Gaza since October 7, 2023.

(With input from agencies)