Amanpour

Hearings have begun in the International Court of Justice that could change the course of Israel’s war in Gaza. South Africa is arguing today that Israel is committing “genocidal acts” against the Palestinian people. The US has called accusations of genocide “meritless," and tomorrow Israel will lay out its defense against the charge. Correspondent Melissa Bell explains more from the Hague. 

Also on today's show: Omer Bartov, Professor of Holocaust & Genocide Studies, Brown University; Alon Pinkas, Former Israeli Consul General in New York; Oksana Markarov, Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ecuador has declared it’s facing an "internal armed conflict." Security forces have been ordered to “neutralize” several criminal groups accused of spreading extreme violence. It comes after an extraordinary 24 hours that saw violence broadcast live on television after masked gunmen stormed a TV station, taking staff hostage. Now the country is in a state of emergency with reports of looting and explosions. Correspondent Patrick Oppmann explains what led to this point. His report is followed by an interview with Roberto Izurieta Canova, spokesperson for the country's president. 

Also on today's show: Harvard constitutional scholar Noah Feldman; journalist Yuval Abraham; lo Capitano director Matteo Garrone and script consultant Mamadou Kouassi 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Palestinian authorities say one in every 100 people have been killed in Gaza over the past three months. That’s more than 23,000, and nearly two-thirds are women and children. That human toll is front and center as Western officials visit the region expressing increasing concern about the situation. But is the Israeli government listening to its strongest allies? And what are the long-term consequences of such destruction? Haaretz columnist Gideon Levy says there’s no way to explain Israel’s conduct in Gaza. He joined the program from Tel Aviv. 

Also on today's show: Sanam Vakil, Director of Middle East & North Africa Program at Chatham House; former British MP Rory Stewart; musician Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tremors from Russia’s large-scale attacks are also impacting Poland, neighbor to both Ukraine and Russia and a critical NATO ally. Just last week, fighter jets scrambled after Warsaw reported a Russian missile entered Polish airspace headed for Ukraine. Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski joins the show to discuss. 

Also on today's show: Senior Political Analyst John Avlon; award-winning playwright and screenwriter Tony Kushner; Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This weekend will mark three months since Hamas attacked Israel. A painful ordeal continues for the families of more than 130 people still thought to be held hostage in Gaza. Prospects of another deal between Israel and Hamas to pause fighting are uncertain, despite a temporary truce in November which saw the release of 105 hostages. Among those released was 34-year-old Doron Katz Asher and her young daughters. Bianna spoke with Doron in Tel Aviv recently. 

Also on today's show: The Atlantic contributing writer Kim Ghattas and Soufan Group Director of Research Colin Clarke; Bulwark Publisher Sarah Longwell; Robert Pape, Director, Chicago Project on Security and Threats 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fears of regional war in the Middle East have been growing ever since October 7th, when the brutal attack by Hamas inside Israel triggered Israel's massive counteroffensive in Gaza. So far, more than 22 thousand Palestinians have been killed, according to the health ministry in Gaza and joining the program with an update on the situation is Gemma Connell, the Gaza team leader for the United Nation's humanitarian office OCHA. 

Also on today's show: historian Timothy Snyder; musician Lenny Kravitz; Nobel laureate in chemistry Jennifer Doudna 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There are renewed fears that Israel’s war on Hamas is escalating beyond Gaza. Yesterday an airstrike on a Beirut building killed a senior Hamas leader, but Israel has not confirmed it carried out the strike. The Lebanese Prime Minister accused Israel of trying to “drag” it into a regional war. Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib joins Christiane from the Lebanese Embassy in DC, where he will be holding emergency meetings at the White House. 

Also on today's show: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba; Afua Hirsch & Peter Frankopan, cohosts of the "Legacy" podcast; musician Rhiannon Giddens 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hamas confirmed today that its deputy political leader has been killed in a blast in Beirut, fueling fears of an extended war in Gaza. Meanwhile, in an unprecedented ruling, Israel’s Supreme Court has struck down a controversial law that would have limited its own powers - a victory for protesters who spent months in the streets prior to October 7. Nimrod Novik served as a policy advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres. He is now a fellow at the Israel Policy Forum and joins the show from Tel Aviv.  

Also on today's show: IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva; Mariana Meza Hernandez & Jennifer Benz from the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Just last December President Volodymyr Zelensky was warmly received in a rare joint session of congress. But this year has been a turning point, and it is turning in the wrong direction. Now Zelenky is sounding less than confident about continued American support. Republican resistance to funding Ukraine has hardened. Military planners are now considering the worst case scenario - that Ukraine, without western aid, loses to Russia, perhaps even by this summer. But NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says he's counting on Congress to keep funding Ukraine and our battle for Democracy.

Also on today's show: Biden's top climate advisor John Kerry on his high stakes deal making at COP 28, Adam Driver discusses his new 2023 film Ferrari, From my archive; a cautionary tale from Gaza after the 2009 war, and Marina Abramović puts her body and her life on the line for her art.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices