The International Court of Justice is set to rule on an urgent plea by South Africa to order Israel to halt its military operations in Gaza and withdraw from the enclave. This decision comes as Israel faces mounting pressure to end its military assault on Gaza following deadly attacks by Hamas-led militants.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under heavy pressure at home to end the war, with thousands of Israelis joining weekly demonstrations calling for a resolution to bring home Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The cease-fire order by the International Court of Justice, while unlikely to be complied with by Israel, will further isolate the country on the international stage.
The ruling also comes on the heels of the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor seeking arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Israel’s defense minister, and three Hamas leaders. Netanyahu has vowed to defend Israel against any international pressure.
The case filed by South Africa accuses Israel of committing genocide during its Gaza campaign, a claim vehemently denied by Israel. The court has previously ordered Israel to prevent death, destruction, and acts of genocide in Gaza, but has stopped short of ordering an end to the military offensive.
As the ICJ rules on disputes between nations, the ICC files charges against individuals responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Despite the arrest warrants issued by the ICC, Israel, not being a member, faces no immediate risk of prosecution. However, the threat of arrest could hinder the travel of Israeli leaders abroad.