The International Court of Justice ordered Israel must stop its attack on the city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip and open a crossing point on the border with Egypt to provide assistance to local residents.
This is stated in the court decision.
The decision was made at the request of South -African Republic. She called on the court to order Israel, as a state party to the Genocide Convention, to immediately cease its military operations in the Gaza Strip, including Rafah, withdraw from the Rafah crossing and and immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw your army from all of Gaza.
South Africa also demanded immediate unhindered access for UN representatives to the Gaza Strip and other groups involved in providing humanitarian assistance; investigators and journalists to ensure the safety and preservation of evidence of alleged crimes.
The court agreed and ruled that Israel, in accordance with its obligations, must immediately cease its military offensive and any other actions in Rafah that may threaten destruction of Palestinians.
Israel must also open access to the Gaza Strip and maintain open land checkpoints, in particular the Rafah checkpoint.
As the AP notes, although the decision of the International Court is a blow to Israel’s international authority, the court does not render forceful influence on the execution of their orders. For example, Russia is defying a 2022 court order to halt its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
On the eve of the ruling, Israel signaled that it would reject an ICJ order to halt its operations.
“No power on earth will stop Israel from protecting its citizens and persecuting Hamas in Gaza,” — government spokesman Avi Hayman said during a press briefing on May 23.
Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip began in response to the attack on Israel by Palestinian Hamas militants on October 7, 2023. Then Hamas killed 1,200 people and took 253 hostages. According to Palestinians, more than 31,000 people were killed in the Gaza Strip and almost the entire population was driven from their homes.
Thousands of Palestinian refugees have resettled in the city of Rafah, where the single crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt is located. On other sides, Rafah is surrounded by Israel and the sea. “Rafah” was the main entry point for humanitarian aid as well as some commercial supplies after the Israeli offensive began. But for three weeks now, the Rafah border checkpoint has been closed. remains closed to aid deliveries.
As the offensive expanded, Israel ordered nearly 100,000 Palestinians to evacuate into eastern Rafah and relocate to the Al-Mawasi and Khan Younis areas ahead of the planned military offensive. In total, according to the UN, about 800 thousand people were forced to leave Rafah after Israel launched a military operation in the area on May 6.
Israel says it is targeting Hamas militants hiding behind civilians. Foreign countries are warning of an aggravation of the humanitarian situation due to Israeli military actions.
Prepared by: Nina Petrovich