The new ruling differs significantly from the government’s previous position, which was that only courts can decide whether or not Israel is committing genocide.
The convention states that “the crime of genocide occurs only where there is specific intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group.”
Lammy’s letter also discussed the importance of maintaining F-35 parts exports.
Syria accuses Israel of airstrikes on military sites near Homs and Latakia, calling it a breach of sovereignty and urging UN intervention. Israel has not responded to the allegations.
Syrian state media on Monday evening reported an Israeli airstrike on the outskirts of Homs, in the western part of the country.
The reports indicated that the attack targeted several ammunition and missile warehouses in Syrian regime military bases. A Syrian air defense base was also reportedly struck.
Subsequent reports and footage claimed that Israel conducted airstrikes near Latakia, with reports of explosions near the port city.
Israel has not commented on the reports so far.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned the strikes attributed to Israel and said, “We strongly condemn the Israeli airstrikes on several sites in the Homs and Latakia governorates. This is a blatant violation of international law and the principles of the UN Charter. The attacks constitute a grave breach of Syrian sovereignty, a direct threat to its security and regional stability, and they are part of a series of escalations that Israel is carrying out on Syrian territory.”
“Syria firmly rejects any attempt to undermine its sovereignty or national security and calls on the international community, and particularly the UN Security Council, to fulfill its legal responsibilities and adopt a clear and decisive stance that will put an end to these repeated attacks, in a manner that ensures respect for its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” it added.
In late August, a Syrian military source claimed that IDF forces had been deployed at a military base in Al-Kiswah, south of Damascus.
According to the source, dozens of soldiers were present at the site with equipment used for conducting searches. The force reportedly remained at the base for over two hours before departing in the same manner they arrived.
At the same time, reports surfaced of Israeli airstrikes in the Al-Kiswah area.
In response, the IDF stated that it “does not comment on foreign reports.”
Later, however, Defense Minister Israel Katz wrote on X, “Our forces are operating on all fronts, day and night, for Israel’s security.”
Israel did not comment on that report.
By Vered Weiss, World Israel News
A new US-backed framework aimed at ending the Gaza war and securing the release of hostages has drawn sharp resistance from Hamas, even as Israeli officials say they are giving the plan serious consideration.
The initiative, delivered in recent days through Israeli negotiator Gershon Baskin and Dr. Bishara Bahbah, proposes that Hamas hand over all 48 hostages, including those believed dead, on the first day of the deal.
In return, US President Donald Trump would guarantee that hostilities would not resume until negotiations produce a resolution.
Hamas sources told Asharq al Awsat the plan “contains many traps and pitfalls” and lacks key elements the group is demanding.
They said the framework does not address Israeli withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor or the reopening of Rafah crossing, and added that Hamas is seeking international guarantees, particularly from Washington, to secure the war’s end.
The proposal also calls for the release of 2,000 to 3,000 Palestinian prisoners, including convicted killers, and the cancellation of Israel’s planned operation in Gaza City.
Israeli troops, however, would continue to hold limited positions in parts of the Strip during the truce.
One obstacle highlighted by Hamas is the condition of the hostages themselves.
The group claimed that some captives were killed in areas now under Israeli control, making it difficult to recover their bodies without an IDF ceasefire.
Diplomatic pressure is mounting. Qatari Prime Minister Muhammad bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani pressed Hamas leaders in Doha on Monday to “respond positively” to the proposal, according to a source briefed on the discussions who spoke to Reuters.
Still, skepticism remains. “Hamas would essentially be giving up the hostages on day one in return for a presidential guarantee,” one source told The Jerusalem Post. “What happens if the negotiations collapse? Hamas would have lost all of its leverage.”
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