The top United Nations court on Friday ordered Israel to halt military operations in Rafah “immediately,” a landmark ruling likely to increase mounting international pressure on Israel more than seven months into the Gaza war.
South Africa, who is pursuing the case, hailed the ruling, with Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor saying it was a “much stronger (…) set of provisional measures, very clear call for a cessation.”
Israel rejected the grounds given by the court, insisting its military operations in Rafah were in line with international law.
“Israel has not and will not conduct military actions in the Rafah area which may inflict on the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza conditions of life that could bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part,” National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said in a joint statement with the foreign ministry spokesman.
The Palestinian Authority welcomed the decision, saying it represents an international consensus to end the war, Palestinian spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina told Reuters.
Hamas hailed the order for Israel to halt its invasion of Rafah, saying in a statement that it welcomes the International Court of Justice (ICJ) rulings, but that it expected the court to issue an order for Israel to stop its military operations throughout the besieged enclave, not just in Rafah.
Qatar’s foreign ministry said “It also expresses its hope that the decision should pave the way for an immediate, comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.”
Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib welcomed the ICJ ruling, urging immediate implementation of the decision.
She said on X, “The violence and human suffering in Gaza must stop. We call for a ceasefire, the release of the hostages and negotiations for two states.”
The Turkish Foreign Ministry welcomed the ICJ’s decision, saying, “No country in the world is above the law. We expect all decisions taken by the court to be quickly implemented by Israel. To ensure this, we invite the UN Security Council to do its part.”
With AFP
