The State of Palestine has welcomed the International Criminal Court’s issuing of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over suspected war crimes in Gaza, saying the move “restores hope” in international law.

    Dozens have been killed in strikes by Israel’s military in northern Gaza’s Beit Lahiya and Gaza City, while Israeli attack helicopters fired missiles at tents sheltering displaced people in the central area of the Palestinian territory.

    Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health said Israeli attacks on the Baalbek region have killed at least 40 people and wounded 52 others. The raids follow after the ministry reported 25 people killed and 121 injured in Israeli attacks over the previous 24 hours.

    Israel’s genocide in Gaza has killed at least 44,056 Palestinians and wounded 104,286 since October 7, 2023. An estimated 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks that day, and more than 200 were taken captive.

    In Lebanon, at least 3,583 people have been killed and 15,244 wounded in Israeli attacks since the war on Gaza began.

    US senator expresses support for ICC arrest warrants

    Bernie Sanders said he supported the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Gallant, and Hamas military commander Deif, saying “all launched indiscriminate attacks against civilians and caused unimaginable human suffering”.

    “If the world does not uphold international law, we will descend into further barbarism,” he said in a post on X, alongside a longer statement.

    “I agree with the ICC,” Sanders added.

    Israeli military issues forced evacuation orders in southern Lebanon

    Residents have been ordered to immediately evacuate the villages of Taybeh, Aadshit al-Qusayr and Deir Siriane in southern Lebanon.

    The Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesperson said that civilians must “evacuate without delay” and move to the northern side of the Awali river, located some 60km (37 miles) to the north of the three villages.

    “You are prohibited from heading south. Any movement south could be dangerous to your life,” Avichay Adraee said, adding the residents would be informed of “the appropriate time to return to your homes”.

    “Anyone who is near Hezbollah elements, facilities or weapons is putting their life in danger,” the spokesperson Adraee said in a post on social media.