The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday ordered Israel to halt its military offensive in Rafah, Gaza. The court ruled that Israel must immediately cease its military actions and other operations in the area, citing the “immediate risk” to the Palestinian people.
Current president of the court, Judge Nawaf Salam, who was leading today’s judgment said – to preserve evidence, Israel must take measures to ensure unimpeded access into the Gaza Strip for inquirers.
ICJ new provisional orders pic.twitter.com/Hs17FnAGQ1
— Ambassador Majed Bamya 🇵🇸 (@majedbamya) May 24, 2024
The ICJ told Israel that it must submit a report on measures taken within one month.
“Israel must immediately halt its military offensive” in Rafah, he said.
According to Reuters, Pro-Palestinian demonstrators outside the court waved flags and played a rap on a boom box, advocating for a free Palestine.
The court has ruled in favor of a South African request urging Israel to immediately cease its military offensive in Rafah, following allegations of genocide by Pretoria. The decision comes amid ongoing tensions, with Israel continuously dismissing the accusations asserting its operations in Gaza as acts of self-defense against Hamas militants.
“No power on Earth will stop Israel from protecting its citizens and going after Hamas in Gaza,” an Israeli government spokesman was quoted as saying by Reuters on the eve of Friday’s decision.
It was earlier this month, when Israel launched assault on Rafah that triggered a humanitarian crisis, displacing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians and severing vital aid routes.
In response to these developments, South African legal representatives petitioned the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last week, urging the imposition of emergency measures. They argued that Israel’s assaults on Rafah must cease immediately to safeguard the survival of the Palestinian populace.
While the International Court of Justice (ICJ) lacks enforcement powers, its rulings hold significant weight in international disputes. South Africa’s broader case against Israel alleges state-led genocide, a claim the ICJ has yet to substantively address.
Previous ICJ rulings have called on Israel to prevent genocide and ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza. However, the court has stopped short of mandating an end to Israeli military operations.