Judges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), also known as the World Court, ordered Israel on Friday to immediately halt its military assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah. This landmark emergency ruling came in response to South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide.
Israel’s Global Isolation Over Gaza Campaign
Kabul 24: While the ICJ has no means to enforce its orders, the case was a stark sign of Israel’s global isolation over its campaign in Gaza, particularly since it began its offensive against Rafah this month against the pleas of its closest ally, the United States.
Deteriorating Conditions in Gaza
Reading out the ruling, World Court president Nawaf Salam said the situation in the Palestinian enclave had deteriorated since the court last ordered Israel to take steps to improve it. The conditions had been met for a new emergency order, Reuters reported.
ICJ Demands Immediate Halt to Military Actions
“The state of Israel shall (….) immediately halt its military offensive, and any other action in the Rafah governorate, which may inflict on the Palestinian group in Gaza conditions of life that could bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part,” Salam said.
Israel Ordered to Ensure Safety and Aid Access
Israel had not explained how it would keep the population safe during an evacuation of Rafah, or provide food, water, sanitation and medicine for the 800,000 Palestinians that had already fled the Israeli advance, he said.
The ICJ ordered Israel to open the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza to let in aid and provide access for investigators.
Ruling Adopted by Majority Vote
The order was adopted by the panel of 15 international judges in a 13-2 vote, opposed only by judges from Uganda and Israel itself.
Global Reactions to the Ruling
South Africa hailed the ruling as groundbreaking. A White House spokesperson said “We’ve been clear and consistent on our position on Rafah.” The internationally recognised Palestinian Authority said it represented a global consensus that the war must end, although presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh said it did not go far enough because it did not halt fighting in other parts of Gaza.
Senior Hamas official Basem Naim called upon the U.N. Security Council to immediately implement the World Court’s demand into practical measures to compel Israel to comply with the decision.
