Students at Columbia University in New York have occupied Hamilton Hall, escalating protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza that are spreading across U.S campuses and beyond. During the occupation, participants barricaded doors and displayed a Palestine flag. This series of protests is part of a broader movement, with related demonstrations occurring at the University of Texas at Austin, where clashes with riot police led to multiple arrests, and at Sorbonne University in Paris.

Amid these events, political tensions have arisen concerning the potential announcement by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of war crimes charges against Israeli and Hamas officials. G7 diplomats have expressed concerns that such actions could disrupt ongoing ceasefire talks. The investigation by the ICC has been exploring incidents dating back to 2014, including Israel’s construction of settlements on occupied territories.

In parallel, international diplomatic efforts to address the conflict continue. UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Saudi Arabia, urged Hamas to accept a ceasefire package described by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken as “extraordinarily generous.” The proposal aims to halt the fighting that has sharply escalated the death toll and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The student demonstrations and international diplomatic moves underscore the complexity and global concern regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, highlighting various international efforts toward securing a ceasefire and addressing broader political implications.