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Rising Tensions Leave Ships Stranded in Key Oil Passage

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz ⁠was closed for a fourth day on Tuesday, choking off a key artery accounting for about 20% of global oil and gas supply. Greece’s Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, has raised urgent concerns over an increasingly alarming situation in the Strait of Hormuz, where dozens of vessels remain stranded amid escalating conflict involving Iran. He emphasized the need to safeguard global shipping and protect seafarers as the strategic waterway—responsible for roughly 20% of global oil and gas flows—remains closed for a fourth consecutive day.  The closure has disrupted international trade routes and heightened anxiety across the maritime sector. Greek authorities have urged shipowners to exercise maximum caution and avoid high‑risk zones in the wider Persian Gulf region as tensions continue to rise. The prolonged shutdown underscores the vulnerability of global supply chains to geopolitical instability and highlights th...

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France and Belgium Support ICC Request for Arrest Warrants of Israel and Hamas Leaders

 

In a significant development, France and Belgium have publicly backed the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) request for arrest warrants for leaders of Israel and Hamas. The ICC’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders—Yehya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh—of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip and Israel.

While Netanyahu and Gallant are not currently facing imminent arrest, this announcement serves as a symbolic blow that deepens Israel’s isolation over the war in Gaza. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with at least 35,000 Palestinians losing their lives, and around 80% of the population—2.3 million Palestinians—being displaced within the territory.

The ICC’s decision to seek arrest warrants has drawn strong reactions. Netanyahu condemned it as “a moral outrage of historic proportions” while the court’s panel of three judges will now decide whether to issue the warrants and proceed with a case.

This development underscores the gravity of the situation and highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict. As the world watches, the ICC’s pursuit of justice remains a critical step in addressing alleged war crimes committed during the conflict.

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