La International Court of Justice in The Hague he ordered to Israel to immediately ceasemilitary offensive in Rafah. This decision was made following a request from South Africa and represents an attempt to end hostilities in Gaza. The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called an urgent meeting with various ministers and the Attorney General to discuss the implications of this decision. Israel's response and its next moves will be crucial to the future of the conflict in the region.
In the meantime, Putin is in Minsk for a two-day visit to the Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko. “He will soon go to North Korea,” announced the spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, without specifying the date. Adding fuel to the fire is the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán who launched aaccusation heavy onEurope: “It is not Russia that will attack Europe, they are too weak. What is happening today between Brussels and Washington, but especially in Brussels, is creating a climate that could lead to a military conflict. We can define it as preparation for Europe's entry into the war,” said Orbán, quoted by the Hungarian agency MTI, underlining that “war planning is developed in NATO headquarters”. Meanwhile, Norway closes the border to Russian tourists and Japan has introduced new sanctions against Russia for the war in Ukraine, with Tokyo in particular accusing Moscow of purchasing weapons from Pyongyang.
Israel-Hamas war: Netanyahu summons ministers
The International Court of Justice orders the ceasefire in Gaza: Israel must immediately halt the military operation in Rafah and urges “release immediate and unconditional” of hostages Israelis in Gaza. The International Criminal Court also orders the Jewish State to bring in investigators and keep the crossing opened for humanitarian assistance. This represents a decisive step compared to last January, when the Hague Tribunal had only imposed "preventive measures for Gaza". Even on March 28, the Court had requested "new provisional measures" without ordering a truce. Now, the decision is clear and unequivocal: stop hostilities. The Court finally told Israel that it must submit a report on the measures taken within a month.
While the Israeli prime minister is in an urgent telephone consultation with various ministers, Hamas said that the Hague court's decision is not enough and called for an "end to the offensive throughout Gaza."
On the ground, Tel Aviv continues the offensive on Rafah with new bombings.
Russia-Ukraine War: Putin in Minsk by Lukashenko
During his meeting at Minsk with the Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko, the Russian leader Vladimir Putin he reassured on the state of bilateral relations, stating that there are no unresolved issues between the two countries. “Before my trip, I researched different areas of work. In general, I don't see any outstanding issues,” Putin said during the meeting at the Palace of Independence in the Belarusian capital.
Putin praised the economic achievements and work of the Russia-Belarus State Union, saying it was progressing at a good pace. They also discussed security issues, including the presence of tactical nuclear weapons on the border with Ukraine, in which Minsk also participates.
Also present at the meeting was the new Russian Defense Minister, Andrei Belousov, who supported the need for further measures to guarantee the security of the state union, referring to the alleged threat posed by NATO. Finally, Lukashenko defended the presence of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus as a deterrent against possible external aggression.
During a press conference in Minsk with Belarusian President Lukashenko, Putin reiterated the support of Russia to negotiations about Ukraine. He clarified that Russia has never rejected them and has not banned anyone from conducting them.
Putin ready to stop the war in Ukraine? Moscow denies it
The Russian president would be willing to stop the war in Ukraine through a negotiated ceasefire that recognizes “the current battlefield lines.” Four Russian sources told Reuters.
This reconstruction, however, does not convince the European Union, which considers it speculation based on anonymous sources. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is also skeptical of Putin's intentions, accusing him of trying to sabotage the peace summit in Switzerland. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated that the war will end only when Putin withdraws Russian troops. To extinguish all hope, the Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, which denied this possibility.
Putin's moves to rewrite maritime borders
While Russian troops continue their advance in eastern Ukraine on the ground, tensions are rising Baltic countries. In the Baltic area, three accidents occurred in two and a half days, including the withdrawal of buoys which marked the boundary between Estonia e Russia along the Narva River. These episodes, considered Russian provocations, are testing the determination of the European Union and its allies. The EU's response will be crucial to maintaining stability and security in the Baltic region and beyond.
