UN Court Orders Israel to Cease Offensive in Rafah

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The UN’s top court has issued a compelling order to Israel to immediately halt its military offensive in Rafah, the southern Gazan city that has been a refuge for over 1 million civilians since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began last year. Despite international pressure, Israeli forces entered the city earlier this month, claiming it was necessary to defeat Hamas, the group responsible for triggering the war with an attack on Israel.

In response to an urgent request from South Africa, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) declared the conditions in Rafah as “disastrous” and instructed Israel to cease its military operations. The court also demanded the reopening of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt to allow for the provision of essential services and humanitarian aid, as well as access for investigators into the enclave.

While the ICJ lacks enforcement power, the order adds to the mounting international pressure on Israel over its actions in Gaza, which have led to a humanitarian crisis. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was set to discuss the order with senior officials, but far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that Israel would not agree to stop the war, equating it with ceasing to exist.

Internationally, the pressure to end the conflict is increasing, with the EU’s chief diplomat highlighting the dilemma faced in supporting the rule of law versus supporting Israel. The US has also expressed concern over Israel’s invasion of Rafah without a plan to protect civilians.

In a related development, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court sought arrest warrants for Netanyahu, defense minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes. Spain, Norway, and Ireland pledged to recognize a Palestinian state, citing Israel’s actions as endangering a two-state solution. Netanyahu dismissed the ICC prosecutor’s move as a distortion of reality and vowed to continue the offensive in Gaza despite international criticism.