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Live: Thousands return home as Lebanon ceasefire takes hold

Live
Live: Thousands return home as Lebanon ceasefire takes hold
US officials pledge support for Lebanese army as it implements truce
Key Points
Hezbollah declares 'victory', says it still stands ready to fight
Egyptian officials head to Israel for Gaza ceasefire talks
Gaza death toll: 44,282
Men carry Hezbollah flags and a picture depicting late Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, as they drive past damaged buildings at the entrance of Beirut's southern suburbs, after a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect. 27 November, 2024. (Mohamed Azakir/Reuters)

Live Updates

1 year ago

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris has praised the ICC's arrest warrants as an "extremely significant step," adding that the charges levelled against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant "could not be more serious".

“Ireland respects the role of the International Criminal Court. Anyone in a position to assist it in carrying out its vital work must now do so with urgency," he added.

Ireland's foreign ministry also issued a statement calling on states to respect the ICC’s “independence and impartiality, with no attempts made to undermine the court".

1 year ago

Medical Aid for Palestinians has urged the UK government to ensure that the ICC arrest warrants issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant are upheld.

In a statement, the NGO further called on the UK to "review all relations with Israel in light of this decision, and to suspend immediately all arms licences and transfers".

"Palestinians can wait no longer for justice and protection under the law, and the UK must not be an ally to atrocities," it added.

1 year ago

South Africa has hailed the ICC's arrest warrant decision as a "significant step towards justice for crimes against humanity, and war crimes in Palestine".

Chrispin Phiri, spokesman for South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, said the country calls on the international community to “uphold the rule of law and ensure accountability for human rights violations".

1 year ago

ActionAid has welcomed the International Criminal Court (ICC)'s "landmark" decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

“We demand that these individuals face full prosecution for their actions and that justice be swiftly delivered to the victims of these atrocities," the NGO said in a statement.

"The time for accountability is now. It is too late for the tens of thousands of Palestinians brutally killed in Gaza, but the search for justice for them, their families, and Occupied Palestine takes a big step forward today.” 

1 year ago

The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) has said the ICC's decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant is "as welcome as it is overdue."

In a statement, the ICJP called on all state parties to the Rome statute, including the UK, to "support the ICC’s investigation, arrest, and prosecution processes".

The statement further called on the ICC prosecutor's office to pursue warrants "for a greater range of charges including additional perpetrators".

"The institutionalisation and extent of Israel’s war crimes and crimes against humanity demonstrate how responsibility does not neatly fall between two individuals," it said, adding that the extent of the crimes committed since the arrest warrant application requires further investigation.

1 year ago

Republican US Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of President-elect Trump, denounced the ICC as  "dangerous joke".

"It is now time for the US Senate to act and sanction this irresponsible body," he added.

1 year ago

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the ICC warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant are not political and the court decision should be respected and implemented.

Meanwhile, Netherlands Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp was cited by Dutch news agency ANP as saying the country was prepared to act on the arrest warrant against Netanyahu if needed.

France's foreign ministry spokesperson said the French reaction to the warrants would be "in line with ICC statutes".

Reporting by Reuters

1 year ago

Sarit Michaeli, of Israel's largest human rights group B’Tselem, called on member states of the ICC to make clear statements affirming they will enforce the warrants.

“States should protect and shield the ICC from any recriminations or threats,” she told Middle East Eye.

1 year ago

Triestino Mariniello, a lawyer representing Palestinian victims at the ICC told Middle East Eye that the court's decision to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant is "historic."

He noted that the court had endured "pressure and threats of sanctions" from the US government, but acted nonetheless.

"That's an important step for its legitimacy and credibility," he told MEE. "It's important step for Palestinian victims. It's a historic day for anyone who believes in justice for every victim independently of the power of the culprits."

1 year ago

Jordan's foreign minister, Ayman Safadi, said that the International Criminal Court's decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant should be respected and implemented.

1 year ago

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has said that the International Criminal Court's decision to issue arrest warrants for the leader and former defence minister Yoav Gallant is "antisemitic."

In a statement, the office said Israel "categorically rejects the absurd and false lies" levelled against it by the court.

It added that Netanyahu "will not yield to pressure, will not be deterred and will not retreat" until all Israel's war objectives are achieved.

1 year ago

Hamas has welcomed the International Criminal Court's decision to issue arrest warrants for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and its former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

In a statement it called on the Hague-based court to "expand the scope of accountability to all criminal occupation leaders."

Reporting by Reuters

1 year ago

Former Israeli PM, Naftali Bennett said said that the the International Criminal Court's decision to issue arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant, are a "mark of shame" for the court.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said that the move constitutes "reward for terrorism."

1 year ago

The Israeli military has said it will bomb the neighbourhoods of Haret Hreik and Hadath in Beirut's southern suburbs.

This is the third expulsion order issued by the military to the Lebanese capital today.

1 year ago

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant.

The court also issued a warrant for Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif.

“The Chamber issued warrants of arrest for two individuals, Mr Benjamin Netanyahu and Mr Yoav Gallant, for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024”, a statement from the court said.

Among the allegations levelled against them are that Gallant and Netanyahu  “intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity.”

The court added that it had rejected two Israeli challenges to its jurisdiction, saying that Israel's acceptants of the court's jurisdiction "is not required."