عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

ICC ‘Ready to Freeze’ Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant (Reuters)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant (Reuters)
TT
TT

ICC ‘Ready to Freeze’ Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant (Reuters)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant (Reuters)

Former Israeli Supreme Court president Aharon Barak said on Friday that the UN-backed International Criminal Court (ICC) is ready to freeze its arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant if a state commission of inquiry is formed to look into the October 7, 2023 events and the war that followed.
Barak represented Israel as an ad-hoc judge at the International Court of Justice for the genocide case that was brought against Netanyahu and Gallant by South Africa amid the war in Gaza.
In comments to several Hebrew media outlets, Barak said that a few days ago he addressed officials at the ICC and inquired about their position if a state commission of inquiry was formed in Israel.
The officials clearly said that in such a case, they will cancel their decision to arrest Netanyahu and Gallant and freeze the trial.
Barak, 89, said the Netanyahu-led government continues to undermine Israel's judicial system and harm its international status.
On November 21, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defense chief, as well as a Hamas leader, Ibrahim Al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza conflict.
ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan withdrew his request for warrants for two other senior Hamas figures, Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh, who have both since been killed.
The three arrest warrants were classified as “secret” to protect witnesses and to safeguard the conduct of investigations.
However, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber decided to release the information due to the continuation of the war and likely violations of international law, in particular the fact that hostages continue to be held in Gaza.
“The Chamber considers it is also in the interest of victims and their families to be aware of the warrant’s existence,” the Court said.
Also, the chamber rejected Israel’s challenges to jurisdiction and warrants of arrest for Netanyahu and Gallant. It considered that the alleged conduct of Netanyahu and Gallant falls within the jurisdiction of the Court in the situation extended to Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
Netanyahu’s office described the ICC’s decision as “antisemitic.” Israel then urged what it called “nations of the civilized world” to refuse to implement any international criminal court arrest warrants.
The US rejected the ICC decision while Argentina and Hungary said they will not enforce the arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant.

 

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Burhan on Independence Anniversary: Victory Is Coming

Al-Burhan in a still from a video recorded outside the Republican Palace in the capital, Khartoum (Sudan News Agency). 
Al-Burhan in a still from a video recorded outside the Republican Palace in the capital, Khartoum (Sudan News Agency). 
TT
TT

Burhan on Independence Anniversary: Victory Is Coming

Al-Burhan in a still from a video recorded outside the Republican Palace in the capital, Khartoum (Sudan News Agency). 
Al-Burhan in a still from a video recorded outside the Republican Palace in the capital, Khartoum (Sudan News Agency). 

The head of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan, said on Thursday that “victory is coming” and will be “on the side of the Sudanese people.”

Al-Burhan’s address came as fierce fighting continues between the army and allied forces on one side and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their allies on the other, particularly in South Kordofan state.

In a recorded message delivered from outside the Republican Palace in the capital, Khartoum, al-Burhan congratulated the Sudanese on the 70th anniversary of independence, marked annually on January 1.

“This is an existential battle of dignity that we are all fighting,” he stated, adding: “We reassure our citizens everywhere, in Darfur and Kordofan, that victory is coming, and that Sudanese forces are coming to you. We will surely gather here again as Sudanese to celebrate the expulsion of the rebellion, traitors and defeatists from our country.”

Al-Burhan continued that those who “betrayed their country and sold it” would not prevail, dismissing what he described as “mirages of states that speak of illusions that will never be realized on this land.” He stressed that the Sudanese people are determined to win.

He also stressed that the door remains open to national reconciliation. “We welcome everyone who wishes to join the voice of the nation and of truth,” he said, pledging to work toward building “a state of citizenship, peace and justice.”

In a contrasting message, the prime minister of the rival, RSF-aligned parallel administration, Mohamed Hassan al-Taaishi, argued that political independence was a great national achievement but remained incomplete because it failed to become an inclusive national project addressing imbalances in power and wealth.

Speaking on the eve of Independence Day, Al-Taaishi said the so-called “Government of Peace” had presented a declared national project for a comprehensive re-foundation of the Sudanese state on new principles.

He added that the war would not end through partial solutions or narrow security approaches, calling instead for a decentralized system of governance that redistributes power and wealth fairly through a new social contract and a secular, democratic civilian constitution.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arab World

Arab Parliament Affirms Support for Stability in Yemen, Unity Efforts in Sudan

Arab Parliament Affirms Support for Stability in Yemen, Unity Efforts in Sudan
TT
TT

Arab Parliament Affirms Support for Stability in Yemen, Unity Efforts in Sudan

Arab Parliament Affirms Support for Stability in Yemen, Unity Efforts in Sudan

The Arab Parliament reiterated its strong and unwavering support for the security and stability of Yemen. It emphasized that prioritizing dialogue, understanding, and wisdom is essential to serve the best interests of the Yemeni people.

In a statement issued on Friday, the parliament highlighted the importance of making every effort to de-escalate the situation, address the crisis, and achieve a sustainable political solution that respects Yemen's sovereignty and the will of the Yemeni people, the Saudi Press Agency said.

The parliament expressed its full commitment to supporting all initiatives that enhance security, stability, and development in Yemen, as well as to fulfilling the legitimate aspirations of the Yemeni people for progress, stability, and prosperity.

The Arab Parliament also reiterated its strong and unwavering support for all initiatives aimed at resolving the Sudanese crisis and ensuring the security, stability, and unity of Sudan.

In a statement, the Arab Parliament congratulated the Sudanese people on the anniversary of Independence Day. It expressed hope that the next Independence Day will be celebrated with the crisis fully resolved, fulfilling the aspirations of the Sudanese people for security, stability and development.

Arab World

Lebanon PM Pledges State Authority, Vows to End Israeli Attacks

An Israeli officer displays weapons seized by the army in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria during a media tour (AFP). 
An Israeli officer displays weapons seized by the army in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria during a media tour (AFP). 
TT
TT

Lebanon PM Pledges State Authority, Vows to End Israeli Attacks

An Israeli officer displays weapons seized by the army in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria during a media tour (AFP). 
An Israeli officer displays weapons seized by the army in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria during a media tour (AFP). 

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has pledged to press ahead with reforms, extend the authority of the state, and work to end Israeli attacks and remove the occupation, even as Israel signals preparations for a “measured” military action against Hezbollah.

In a New Year message posted on X, Salam wished Lebanese a year marked by hope, continued state recovery, and restored public trust.

“We promise to continue together the path of reform and the extension of state authority,” he wrote. He added a renewed pledge “to keep working to end Israeli attacks, remove the occupation, and secure the return of our detainees,” saluting the Lebanese army and security forces deployed nationwide to safeguard public safety.

Lebanon has maintained diplomatic contacts with the sponsors of the ceasefire with Israel, which took effect in November 2024 and ended 66 days of fighting between Hezbollah and the Israeli army.

Beirut says diplomacy and steps by the Lebanese army have prevented a renewed war. Israel, however, still occupies five border points inside Lebanese territory, holds around 20 detainees, including civilians, and continues to violate the agreement through intermittent strikes and targeted killings inside Lebanon.

In parallel, Israeli media report heightened security readiness for possible action against Hezbollah, citing Israeli assessments that recent Lebanese measures fall short of ceasefire terms.

The daily Maariv said security chiefs are preparing to brief Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on readiness levels, pointing to what Israel describes as Lebanon’s failure to dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure south and north of the Litani River.

According to the report, Lebanon may soon declare the end of army operations to disarm Hezbollah south of the Litani without extending them northward, an outcome Israel deems a breach. Israeli assessments suggest this could prompt unilateral action if Lebanon is seen as unable or unwilling to comply.

Israel accuses Hezbollah of rebuilding capabilities, including precision missiles, and says recent airstrikes targeted training sites linked to the Radwan Forces. Israeli officials argue Hezbollah is currently in a weakened operational state, enabling “calibrated” options aimed at pressuring the group while preserving the ceasefire framework.