The recent decision by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering Israel to halt its offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah has deepened the divide between the United States and the global community. While the Biden administration opposes a major offensive in Rafah, it maintains that Israel’s actions so far have not crossed any red lines.
The ICJ ruling comes at a time when Israel is facing increasing isolation on the international stage, with countries like Norway, Ireland, and Spain recognizing a Palestinian state, and the chief prosecutor of another international court seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leaders.
Despite pressure from the US to avoid a full-scale military operation in Rafah, Israeli officials have indicated that they are taking President Biden’s concerns seriously. However, the situation remains dire for the Palestinians trapped in Rafah, with over 1 million people seeking refuge in the area.
The UN and aid groups have raised concerns about the lack of access to humanitarian aid in Gaza, with the region facing a potential famine if supplies are not increased. The ICJ ruling calls for an increase in humanitarian aid to the region and access for war crimes investigators, but there is no practical mechanism to enforce compliance.
While Israel has shown no signs of changing course after the court’s ruling, the US continues to express its opposition to a major offensive in Rafah. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the need for a clear and credible plan to protect the civilian population in Rafah, stating that there are alternative ways to deal with the challenge posed by Hamas that could be more effective and durable.