PARIS (Reuters) -France said on Wednesday it believed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had immunity to actions by the International Criminal Court which is seeking his arrest for alleged war crimes in Gaza, given Israel has not signed up to the court statutes. France's view, issued a day after the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah brokered by the U.S. and France, was condemned by rights groups. A statement by the French Foreign Ministry said it would continue to work closely with Netanyahu.

Israel plans to appeal the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister of war crimes.

French ministry reaffirms immunity for Israeli PM Netanyahu from ICC prosecution, citing obligations under international law.

Israel's prime minister and former defence minister strongly deny allegations of war crimes in Gaza.

The ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, his former defence minister, and Hamas military commander Ibrahim Al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif, over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza conflict.