Live Updates: France supports ICC amid warrants sought for Israeli leaders

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

06:13 GMT — France supports ICC amid warrants sought for Israeli leaders

France has said late Monday that it supports the independence of the International Criminal Court, whose prosecutor has requested arrest warrants for leaders from Israel, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Palestinian resistance group Hamas.

"France supports the International Criminal Court, its independence, and the fight against impunity in all situations," its foreign ministry said in a statement.

05:26 GMT — Rafah becoming 'increasingly desperate and dangerous': UN

The UN has issued stark warnings about the deteriorating security situation in Gaza amid Israel's military offensive, particularly in the southern city of Rafah.

Emphasising the urgency of resuming peace talks, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, highlighted the desperate situation in Rafah at a UN Security Council session.

Saying that the situation in the city is "becoming increasingly desperate and dangerous for the already besieged population," he urged all parties to "redouble all efforts and return to the negotiating table immediately and in good faith."

05:09 GMT — Palestinian, US officials discuss need to stop Gaza war

A senior official of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) discussed the need to stop the war in Gaza between Israel and Palestinian resistance groups with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

Hussein al-Sheikh, the secretary-general of the PLO's Executive Committee, said in a statement on his X account that he and Sullivan discussed "the necessity of stopping the war immediately in the Gaza Strip and forcing Israel to open all crossings to bring in food and medicine."

Their talks also dwelt on "halting Israeli measures in the West Bank, including settlements, attacks, incursions and confiscation of the PA (Palestinian Authority) funds."

04:30 GMT — Netanyahu vows to continue onslaught against Gaza despite ICC arrest warrant bid

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a call for arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against him and his Defence Minister Yoav Gallant will not tie Israel's hands in its war on Gaza.

In video statement, Netanyahu said the ICC's warrants are directed against all of Israel and reiterated that the court's move was anti-Semitic.

He harshly attacked ICC Public Prosecutor Karim Khan, claiming that seeking to issue arrest warrants against him and Gallant along with three leaders from the Palestinian group Hamas is "an utter distortion of reality."

03:50 GMT –– Israel's onslaught in Gaza 'not genocide': Biden

US President Joe Biden has defended Israel's ongoing carnage in besieged Gaza, saying that what it is happening in the blockaded enclave is "not genocide."

"Let me be clear: contrary to allegations against Israel made by the International Court of Justice, what's happening is not genocide. We reject that," Biden said at a celebration for Jewish American Heritage Month at the White House.

Biden also rejected the decision by International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Karim Khan to seek arrest warrants for a pair of senior Israeli officials including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

03:20 GMT –– Sullivan, Israeli officials discuss Rafah invasion

Israeli officials have briefed White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan about "new alternative approaches" to Rafah invasion that aim to address US concerns, the White House said in a statement.

Sullivan told the officials that Israel and Egypt talks on reopening the Rafah crossing are crucial to ensuring the flow of humanitarian assistance, according to the statement.

Sullivan met on Monday with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and opposition leader Yair Lapid, among other Israeli officials.

02:15 GMT –– Amal Clooney helped ICC weigh war crimes evidence

Amal Clooney helped the ICC weigh the evidence that led to the decision to seek arrest warrants for top Israeli and Hamas leaders, the human rights lawyer said.

The high-profile British-Lebanese barrister posted a statement on the website of the Clooney Foundation for Justice, which she founded with her husband, American actor George Clooney.

Both she and the foundation had previously been criticised on social media for not speaking out over the civilian death toll in Gaza.

For our live updates from Monday, May 20, click here.