GNA Threatens Haftar with the ICC

Part of the damage to the front of the Mitiga International Airport during the fighting in Tripoli (Reuters)
Part of the damage to the front of the Mitiga International Airport during the fighting in Tripoli (Reuters)
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GNA Threatens Haftar with the ICC

Part of the damage to the front of the Mitiga International Airport during the fighting in Tripoli (Reuters)
Part of the damage to the front of the Mitiga International Airport during the fighting in Tripoli (Reuters)

Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) Foreign Minister Mohamed Siala called on The Hague’s International Criminal Court (ICC) to take necessary measures to investigate rocket attacks on Mitiga International Airport.

Labeling the attacks a war crime, Siala accused the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Gen. Khalifa Haftar of carrying them out.

In a letter to the ICC, Siala accused LNA forces of violating international and human rights laws, killing and maiming prisoners and of attacking diplomatic missions.

In other news, the LNA boosted the number and quality of forces participating in the fight in the country’s capital, Tripoli. GNA forces, on the other hand, focused their attacks on the Okba Ibn Nafa Air Base, located west of the capital.

This is the second time in a month that the LNA dispatched reinforcements to Tripoli, where its forces have been fighting a battle to liberate the capital since April 4, 2019.

The deployment of new forces coincided with LNA Spokesman Ahmed Al-Mismari releasing a motivating voice recording to boost the morale of forces fighting on the frontlines to free Tripoli. It is the second recording in a week in which Mismari urges fighters to revolt against GNA’s Fayez al-Sarraj and Fathi Bashagha, whom he accused of treason and corruption.

Mismari also accused the GNA of selling out the country’s resources to Turkish occupation and loyalist militias.

On the ground, the battles were renewed between GNA and LNA forces on several axes inside the capital. Clashes especially erupted near the airport road south of the city.

GNA Spokesman Col.Mohammed Qanounou said that air forces targeted early Wednesday to shipments intended for LNA forces around 200 kilometers away from the capital. He also announced launching three strikes within 24 hours against LNA targets.

Local media loyal to the GNA quoted unidentified sources as saying that its forces destroyed a Russian air defense system in an air strike in the Shweref area that was on its way to Tarhuna.



Hamas, Two Other Palestinian Groups Say Gaza Ceasefire Deal 'Closer Than Ever'

Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
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Hamas, Two Other Palestinian Groups Say Gaza Ceasefire Deal 'Closer Than Ever'

Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)

Hamas and two other Palestinian militant groups said on Saturday that a Gaza ceasefire deal with Israel is "closer than ever", provided Israel does not impose new conditions.

"The possibility of reaching an agreement (for a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange deal) is closer than ever, provided the enemy stops imposing new conditions," Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said in a rare joint statement issued after talks in Cairo on Friday.

Last week, indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States were held in Doha, rekindling hope of an agreement.

A Hamas leader told AFP on Saturday that talks had made "significant and important progress" in recent days.

"Most points related to the ceasefire and prisoner exchange issues have been agreed upon," he said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak publicly on the issue.

"Some unresolved points remain, but they do not hinder the process. The agreement could be finalized before the end of this year, provided it is not disrupted by (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu's new conditions."