07/06/2025

SATURDAY | JUNE 7, 2025

10

Hamas ready for fresh talks on permanent ceasefire o Group willing to hand over governance in Gaza to nationally agreed-upon Palestinian body

ICC judges hit with US sanctions WASHINGTON: The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on four judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) over an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as it ramped up pressure to neuter the court. The judges will be barred entry to the United States, and any property or other interests in the United States will be blocked. The court said: “These measures are a clear attempt to undermine the independence of an international judicial institution that operates under the mandate from 125 states parties from all corners of the globe.” Targeted judges Beti Hohler of Slovenia and Reine Alapini-Gansou of Benin took part in proceedings that led to an arrest warrant issued last November for Netanyahu. The court found “reasonable grounds” of criminal responsibility by Netanyahu and former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant for actions that include the war crime of starvation as a method of war. Other judges Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza of Peru and Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda were part of court proceedings that led to the authorisation of an investigation into allegations that US forces committed war crimes during the war in Afghanistan. Neither the United States nor Israel is party to the Rome Statute that established the ICC. But most Western US allies are parties to the statute and in theory required to arrest suspects when they land on their soil. – AFP

any professional and nationally agreed-upon Palestinian body. “We are working with all parties to reach an agreement based on a firm stance committed to the fundamental rights and demands of our people, leading to a permanent ceasefire, a full withdrawal of the occupation from the entire Gaza Strip, urgent humanitarian relief and an end to the blockade.” He pointed to the Israeli government, specifically Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as the main obstacle to reaching an agreement, saying Netanyahu “does not want to end the war for personal and ideological motives”. Al-Hayya emphasised that Hamas has shown flexibility and a positive attitude towards various proposals. “We accepted most of the offers since the aggression resumed in March, including the end-of-March mediator proposal that called for the handing over of five captives and entering the second phase of the January agreement, but the occupation rejected it. “After that, we presented our vision for a comprehensive deal that included the release of all captives in exchange for a final end to the war, but the occupation rejected that proposal.”

He said in goodwill, the group released Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander. He also said: “Witkoff presented a proposal a week ago that called for the release of 10 live captives and 18 bodies over a seven-day period, but it included no guarantees against a resumption of fighting on the eighth day. Netanyahu himself declared his intention to resume the war after recovering the captives.” Al-Hayya stressed that Israel insists on maintaining full control over humanitarian aid through a military mechanism rejected by international organisations as a violation of international law. “Israel would not have continued its massacres even against those simply searching for food to survive, as seen recently in Rafah, without continuous military and political support, most recently seen in the US veto at the United Nations Security Council against a resolution demanding an end to the blockade and the urgent entry of aid into Gaza.” The United States previously vetoed four council draft resolutions that called for a ceasefire in Gaza, namely in October 2023, December 2023, February 2024 and November 2024, while abstaining in votes on other draft resolutions. – Bernama-Anadolu

GAZA: Palestinian group Hamas is ready to engage in a new and serious round of negotiations aimed at reaching a permanent ceasefire agreement, Hamas head in Gaza and chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya said on Thursday. In a recorded speech, he said Hamas “did not reject the latest proposal by (US Middle East envoy Steve) Witkoff but rather offered some observations and improvements”, Anadolu Ajansi reported. “The amendments proposed by Hamas were meant to ensure the (Israeli) occupation does not revert to treachery, killing, incursions or forced displacement and to guarantee the dignified entry of aid and relief to our people.” He announced that the group is ready to immediately hand over governance in Gaza to photographer at the scene said. Earlier in the night, Reuters reporters heard the sound of Russian kamikaze drones buzzing in the sky, accompanied by the sounds of outgoing fire from Ukrainian anti-aircraft. Reuters witnesses reported a series of explosions powerful enough to rattle windows far from the impact sites. Some Kyiv residents sought shelter in metro stations or in underground car parks. Ukraine’s Air Force said the city had been targeted with drones and Kalibr cruise missiles. In one of the most audacious attacks in the war, Ukrainian spies last weekend destroyed some of Russia’s strategic bomber aircraft on the ground using quadrocopter drones hidden in wooden sheds. – Reuters

Russian air strike in Ukraine kills four KYIV: Russia has mounted a missile and drone barrage at the Ukrainian capital overnight, killing at least four people, Ukrainian officials said.

Fire and smoke seen in the city after the Russian drone strike in Kyiv yesterday. – REUTERSPIC

The attack followed a warning from Russian President Vladimir Putin, conveyed via US President Donald Trump, that the Kremlin would hit back after Ukrainian drones destroyed several strategic bomber aircraft during attacks in Russia. Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said 20 people were injured, with 16 hospitalised. The city’s metro transport system was disrupted by a Russian strike that hit and damaged a train between stations, Kyiv’s military administration said. In the Solomenskiy district, a Russian drone slammed into the side of an apartment building, leaving a gaping hole and burn marks, a Reuters