The International Criminal Court’s probe against Israeli war crimes and the prevailing situation in Yemen were the main focus of the region’s papers.

Commenting on the Zionist entity’s growing anxiety, the UAE’s Al Khaleej said that it is reflected in the actions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“If the entity [Israel] and its leaders were not anxious and afraid, then they would not have been so angry and hysterical in their reaction. Over the past seven decades, the Zionist entity’s leaders have committed heinous massacres and all forms of other war crimes. They thought they were immune to accountability and punishment and were above the law. If the ICC has not even begun looking into the crimes committed by Israel and its officials are already panicking to this extent, then how would they react when the court starts with the necessary procedures?”

The Oman Tribune said that the results of any impartial ICC probe will have highly negative consequences for Israel.

“Considering what happened, the Zionist nation’s political and military leaders will be held guilty. Even Netanyahu may not be spared. And all of them will surely be tried. Sanctions will be imposed if they do not appear in court and this means even international travel would become dangerous for them. There are a number of other crimes that the Israelis have committed against the Palestinians like destruction of property and land grabbing. Hence, tough steps by the ICC and the international community alone can force Israel to desist from continuing its brutality against the Palestinians. And it will send the message that human rights violations in any form will not be countenanced.”

In its take on the issue, Lebanon’s Daily Star said now that Palestine has opened this path, Israel should perhaps reflect on the other war crimes it has committed since the Nakba in 1948. “Israel should start reflecting on the Deir Yassin massacre of that year; the subsequent massacres elsewhere in Palestine and in Lebanon — in Sabra and Shatila and Qana; the assassinations of Palestinian leaders; the two intifadas and the other wars on Gaza. This is quite aside from the daily but no less insidious war crimes committed against Palestinians and Palestinian land: sequestration of land and ... [colony] building; ethnic cleansing of areas; restrictions on freedom of movement and limits to access to work and health care; violence carried out by the authorities against civilians, many of them children.

“But regardless of the outcome of the ICC probe, in taking its case to the court, Palestine is publicising its legitimate case(s) against Israel.”

Yemeni scenario

Describing the current situation in Yemen as scary, Qatar’s Al Sharq said that if this continues, it could to lead to the country becoming like Afghanistan.

“Yemen did not adopt the peaceful solution that was made available by the Gulf initiative and the national dialogue that resulted in establishing a phase that will lead to the peaceful transfer of power. Wisdom must prevail among the people of Yemen and those in disagreement must reach a middle ground, renounce fighting, lay down their arms and engage in dialogue to resolve any issues.

UAE’s Al Bayan said that Yemen now faces certain scenarios following coups attempted by Al Houthis on the political, tribal, military and regional level.

“The systematic escalation by Al Houthis, carried out with support from foreign powers, is worsening on a daily basis. The situation is becoming scarier due to dramatic developments after Al Houthis invaded Sana’a, seized control of its institutions, closed down schools and terrorised universities. These actions consolidate religious sectarianism that could burn Yemen if the rebels go too far in carrying out their plans.”