UN’s Syria envoy says Middle East ‘at a very critical point’
Geir O Pedersen has called for a ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza to avoid Syria and Iraq getting dragged into Israel’s wars in the Middle East. He made the comments after meeting Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbagh in Damascus on Sunday.
“We agreed that it is extremely critical that we de-escalate so that Syria is not further dragged into this,” Pedersen said. “And you also have seen now increased nervousness in Iraq when it comes to development. So, as I said, we are at a very critical point. So, I will continue to call for immediate de-escalation.”
The envoy noted that Israel’s attacks on Lebanon have resulted in some 400,000 Syrians, who had sought refuge in the country during Syria’s civil war, to return home. “This places a heavy responsibility on the government and the international community,” Pedersen said, calling on the Syrian government to continue to provide protection and security for the returnees.
Ben-Gvir speaks out against a ceasefire deal in Lebanon
Israel’s far-right national security minister says, “An agreement with Lebanon is a big mistake,” following reports in Israeli and US media that a deal to stop the war between Hezbollah and Israel is closer than ever.
“A historic missed opportunity to eradicate Hezbollah. I understand all the constraints and reasons, and it is still a grave mistake. … Precisely now, when Hezbollah is beaten and longs for a cease-fire, it is forbidden to stop,” he wrote in a post on X.
“As I warned before in Gaza, I warn now as well: Mr. Prime Minister – it is not too late to stop this agreement! We must continue until the absolute victory!” he added.
Gallant set to travel to the US for the first time since ICC arrest warrant: Report
Israeli Army Radio reports that the former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant will travel to the United States less than a week after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued warrants against him, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leader Mohammed Deif.
The court had found that there were reasonable grounds that the Israeli siege of Gaza “created conditions of life calculated to bring about the destruction of part of the civilian population”.
The ICC pre-trial judges who issued the warrants said Netanyahu and Gallant faced charges of using starvation as a method of warfare as well as crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts.
US officials have largely rejected the ruling and questioned the court’s legitimacy.
The ICC was established in 1998 when the Rome Statute was signed. Although the US helped negotiate the accord, it did not join the ICC, which means Washington would not have to comply with the arrest warrant when Gallant sets foot in its jurisdiction.
