Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bodyguards, part of the Shin Bet VIP protection unit, appeared wearing face masks during "Israel’s 77th Independence Day ceremonies" on Thursday, Israeli media reported. The move is reportedly aimed at preserving their anonymity and protecting them from potential arrest abroad.

The unusual measure was noted during the President’s Medal of Excellence ceremony, where, according to Israeli media reports, Shin Bet agents were formally instructed to conceal their identities at public events amid growing international legal efforts to prosecute Israeli officials and security personnel on war crimes charges.

Photos from the ceremony showed Netanyahu’s security detail masked, an unprecedented step for the unit tasked with protecting high-level officials.

This development signals increasing concern over legal exposure for personnel involved in actions carried out under "Israel’s" security apparatus.

The instructions come as international organizations continue to file arrest warrants and legal actions targeting members of "Israel’s" military and security establishment.

Not an isolated incident

The face coverings serve both a physical and legal layer of protection, especially for agents who might travel abroad.

"Israel’s 77th Independence Day" also marked a shift in how military personnel were presented publicly, while organizers at official events were reportedly instructed not to film close-ups of Israeli soldiers.

The decision was made to prevent their identification, as legal efforts against Israeli military actions are gaining traction internationally.

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The decision mirrors similar precautions taken during Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s ceremony in late March. At that event, 120 soldiers received commendations, but their identities were deliberately concealed for safety reasons, as per Israeli media.

Legal advisors and government officials are increasingly wary of the risks posed by international travel and visibility for both soldiers and security personnel. It is worth noting that global investigations into Israeli soldiers have been mounting following incriminating footage published documenting their involvement in war crimes in Gaza.

Read more: Israeli soldiers face 50 global charges for Gaza crimes: Israeli media

ICC judges issue gag order on arrest warrants in Israeli war crimes

Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have ordered that new arrest warrant applications in the Palestine case remain confidential, barring prosecutor Karim Khan from publicly announcing any upcoming moves, The Guardian reported.

In a decision issued behind closed doors earlier this month, ICC judges instructed Khan not to reference the existence of warrant applications or his intention to seek them. The order comes as Khan prepares a new round of applications targeting Israeli suspects for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Previously, Khan secured arrest warrants against Netanyahu and former Security Minister Yoav Gallant. 

The ICC’s Palestine investigation, launched formally in 2021 under Khan’s predecessor, Fatou Bensouda, has gained momentum amid the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza. In May 2024, Khan sought warrants against senior Israeli and Hamas officials, marking a significant escalation in the probe.

Following the October 2023 escalation, investigations intensified, particularly regarding Israeli bombardments and settler violence.

The international attention on the ICC’s Palestine case underscores the growing scrutiny of violations of international law in the region, as the court navigates balancing transparency, legal integrity, and political pressure.

The ICC has not commented publicly on the recent judicial orders, as per the report.

Read more: Amnesty Intl accuses 'Israel' of 'live-streamed genocide' in Gaza