US is basically fine now with the further invasion of Rafah
US official says Israel addressed Biden’s concerns on Rafah attack plans: Reports
A senior US official says Israel has addressed many of President Joe Biden’s concerns regarding the ongoing ground assault on Rafah, according to news agencies.
“It’s fair to say, I think the Israelis have updated their plans. They’ve incorporated many of the concerns that we have expressed,” the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, was quoted as saying.
The AFP and AP news agencies’ reports did not say if the official provided details of the changes the Israelis had made to their plans for the Rafah offensive, which has forcibly displaced more than 800,000 people. Most of those fleeing the city have gone to central Khan Younis and Deir el-Balah, where overcrowding and lack of water and sanitation services has resulted in “horrendous” conditions, according to UN officials.
Biden previously said he would not support an Israeli assault on Rafah – which had been sheltering more than 1.4 million people – without a plan to safeguard civilians.
The US official said the updates to the Israeli attack plan for Rafah followed White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan’s trip to Israel.
US House leader to invite Netanyahu to address Congress despite ICC warrant request
Mike Johnson, the Republican Speaker of the US House of Representatives, has said he is moving ahead with an invitation to the Israeli prime minister to address US lawmakers.
The comments came a day after the ICC chief prosecutor requested an arrest warrant for Netanyahu on allegations of committing war crimes in Gaza.
Johnson said the invitation has not yet been sent because he was waiting for the Democratic leader of the Senate, Chuck Schumer, to sign a letter of invitation to a joint session.
If Schumer does not do so by Tuesday, “we’re going to proceed and invite Netanyahu just to the House”, Johnson said.
Addresses to joint meetings of Congress by foreign leaders are a rare honour generally reserved for the closest US allies, or major world figures. Netanyahu has already given three such addresses, most recently in 2015.
Is there no such crime as aiding and abetting a known war criminal...
The Elders group says all states should respect ICC’s authority
Mary Robinson, the chair of The Elders group of world leaders and former Irish president, has commended ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan on his application for arrest warrants to apprehend Israeli and Hamas leaders.
In a statement, Robinson said the ICC’s decision was “a landmark moment in the struggle for justice and accountability in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict”.
“There is a case to answer on both sides, which should be heard in a court of law,” said Robinson, a former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. “All states should respect the Court’s authority and impartiality, and ensure its decisions are implemented,” she said.
“Any statements or actions that seek to denigrate, de-legitimise or punish ICC officials for acting in accordance with the Court’s mandate are completely unacceptable,” she added.
“Impunity for atrocity crimes during conflict must end.”
Netanyahu says what CNN wants to hear, but his actions don't align...
Netanyahu says opposed to Israeli settlements in Gaza
Netanyahu has signalled his opposition to re-establishing settlements, which are illegal under international law, in Gaza, saying “it was never in the cards”.
“Some of my constituents are not happy about it, but that’s my position,” he told CNN.
In the interview, Netanyahu also called for the “sustained demilitarisation of Gaza” and a “civilian administration that is run by Gazans who are neither Hamas nor committed to our destruction”.
He also called for the “reconstruction of Gaza” to be led by the “moderate Arab states and the international community”.
Arab states have asserted that they will only be involved in the reconstruction of Gaza if Israel provides a pathway to Palestinian statehood.
Netanyahu has made it his life work to prevent a Palestinian state from happening.
