ICJ Orders Israel to Halt Rafah Offensive for Humanitarian Reasons
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has issued a ruling demanding that Israel immediately stop its military deployment in Rafah, a region in southern Gaza where thousands have reportedly been killed since October last year. The ICJ stated that the current situation is causing irreparable harm and is close to the genocide of the Palestinian people. Israel must halt its offensive and allow unimpeded access to Gaza for any commission of inquiry, the ICJ ordered.
Despite the legally binding nature of the ICJ rulings, Israel is unlikely to comply with the order. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emphasized the necessity of the Rafah operation to eliminate Hamas’ remaining battalions. The ICJ’s focus remains on Rafah and has not extended to other parts of Gaza, where the IDF is still present.
South Africa, Hamas, and the UN report thousands of casualties in Gaza, while Israel maintains that a significant portion were combatants. The ongoing conflict has raised concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, with organizations urging for immediate action to prevent further loss of life.