Egypt has threatened to withdraw as a mediator in Gaza ceasefire negotiations after CNN reported that Egyptian intelligence changed the terms of the recent truce proposal, scuttling a deal.
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Ireland, Spain, and Norway have officially recognized Palestine as a state, a move that has drawn mixed reactions. The decision comes as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate, with heavy fighting and civilian casualties reported on both sides. The move has been welcomed by Palestinian authorities but criticized by Israel and some Western nations. It remains to be seen what impact the recognition will have on the ongoing negotiations for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Meanwhile, both sides continue to call for a ceasefire and international intervention to resolve the crisis.
Spain, Ireland, and Norway announced their recognition of a Palestinian state, potentially generating momentum for further recognition and putting pressure on Israel to engage in negotiations. These developments come amid international outrage over the civilian toll and humanitarian crisis in Gaza following Israel’s offensive and reflect growing diplomatic pressure on Israel as the conflict with Hamas continues.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz has ordered the recall of Israel’s ambassadors from Ireland and Norway after both countries announced their intention to recognize a Palestinian state. Katz condemned the recognition as a reward for terrorism and threatened to recall Israel’s ambassador to Spain if it takes a similar position. Norway, which is not a member of the European Union but mirrors its moves, has been an ardent supporter of a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. Since the first Oslo agreement was signed in 1993, Norway says the Palestinians have taken important steps towards a two-state solution and have built up national institutions to provide the population with important services.
The United Nations has suspended food distribution in the southern Gaza city of Rafah due to a lack of supplies and security concerns stemming from Israel’s military operation. The UN warns that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is on the brink of collapse, with over 1.1 million people facing severe hunger. Israel claims it has addressed US concerns about a full-scale ground invasion of Rafah, but the US stopped short of greenlighting the plan.
Israeli forces continued their offensive in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, destroying residential areas in the Jabalia refugee camp with tank and air bombardments. Airstrikes also killed at least five people in the southern city of Rafah. The ongoing military operation, which began nearly two weeks ago, has forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes and disrupted aid deliveries, raising concerns about famine.
Both Israel and Hamas have vehemently denounced a request by the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) prosecutor to issue arrest warrants for their leaders for alleged war crimes. The ICC’s prosecutor, Karim Khan, has accused both Israeli and Hamas leaders of committing crimes against humanity during the recent conflict in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli government has condemned the move as a ‘historical disgrace’ while Hamas has ‘strongly condemned’ it. The US, Israel’s key ally, and France have expressed support for the court’s independence. However, the ICC does not have the authority to enforce its warrants, and any arrests would depend on the cooperation of ICC member states.
US President Joe Biden has strongly condemned the International Criminal Court’s application for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, calling it “outrageous.” He reiterated his unwavering support for Israel in its ongoing conflict with Hamas, emphasizing that there is no comparison between the two entities. Biden’s statement follows the announcement by ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan that he had sought arrest warrants for both Israeli and Hamas leaders over alleged crimes during the conflict in Gaza. The US State Department also denounced the announcement, calling it “shameful” and reiterating that the ICC has no jurisdiction over this matter.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vehemently denounced the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor’s decision to seek arrest warrants against him and his defense minister. Netanyahu firmly rejected the comparison drawn between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas, labeling it as a distortion of reality and a blatant act of antisemitism. He vowed that the attempt to hinder Israel’s self-defense efforts would be met with unwavering determination.
The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders. The move comes amid a new Israeli offensive in central Gaza, despite warnings from the U.S. about the risk of mass casualties.