U.S. 'does not believe' ICC has jurisdiction to issue warrants against Israeli officials (2024)

Colleges around the U.S. implored pro-Palestinian student protesters to clear out tent encampments with rising levels of urgency Monday, as police made more arrests at the University of Texas and Columbia University said it was beginning to suspend students who defied an ultimatum to leave the encampment there by an afternoon deadline.

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U.S. President Joe Biden held phone calls with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Monday, according to the White House.

Biden discussed the latest developments in negotiations over a ceasefire in Gaza and the dangers of a military escalation in Rafah with both leaders, statements from Egypt's presidency, the White House and Qatar's Emiri Diwan said.

The calls also touched on the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, a main sticking point in any comprehensive ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel.

Biden also thanked both leaders for their tireless mediation efforts.

Yemen's Houthis targeted two U.S. destroyers and the vessel CYCLADES in the Red Sea as well as the MSC Orion in the Indian Ocean, the Iran-aligned group's military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a televised speech early on Tuesday.

Houthi forces have staged attacks on shipping lanes for months in solidarity with Palestinians fighting Israel in the Gaza war.

Deputy Secretary-General of Islamic Jihad, Mohammed al-Hindi, said that Hamas will present its position on the case-fire proposal within a few days, following consultations with representatives of other factions in Gaza.

According to al-Hindi, there has been flexibility in the negotiations in recent days and an agreement has been reached on the principle of a gradual withdrawal from Gaza.

Senior Hamas officials say the effort in the coming days will focus on presenting a formula that both sides find acceptable, like a "prolonged calm" instead of a cease-fire, and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces, including from the Netzarim Corridor, the Coastal Road, and Salah al-Din Road, which would allow the return of displaced people to the north of the Strip.

According to senior Hamas political officials, talks with other Palestinian factions produced two main principles: No new Israeli attacks inside the Gaza Strip at the end of a deal, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

Speaking to Haaretz, a senior Palestinian source that "There will be no agreement to a military presence inside the territory and military raids, as is happening in the West Bank." According to the source, as long as these principles are not guaranteed, it will be impossible to implement a deal.

Saudi Arabia has decided to normalize relations with Israel, but is debating whether to implement the move in the coming weeks or after the presidential election in the United States in November, a foreign diplomat familiar with the details said.

Saudi Arabia is expected to demand guarantees that will ensure clear progress on the issue of a Palestinian state in return.

According to the diplomat, "Saudi has decided to go for an agreement with Israel. It's a principled strategic move, as part of the rapprochement with the U.S., and [Saudi Arabia] is interested in realizing it.

"The question is when, and the decision on the timing should be made within days. The debate in the Saudi government is whether to hand this 'candy' to President [Joe] Biden, who may not be reelected, or wait for the next president, assuming Biden will lose," the diplomat said.

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