International Court of Justice orders to ’immediately halt’ Rafah offensive

AFP | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia  

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Israel should 'immediately' halt its military operations in Rafah, the top United Nations court ordered yesterday in a landmark ruling that rejected Israeli arguments it would give Hamas “free rein”.

The International Court of Justice also ruled Israel must keep open the key Rafah crossing for "unhindered" humanitarian aid.

ICJ rulings are legally binding but the court has no concrete means to enforce them. For example, it ordered Russia to halt its invasion of Ukraine, to no avail.

However, the ruling is expected to mounting international pressure on Israel more than seven months into the Gaza war.

The ruling also urges "unconditional" release of hostages taken by Hamas during its October 7 assault.

The court said Israel must "immediately halt its military offensive, and any other action in the Rafah Governorate, which may inflict on the Palestinian group in Gaza conditions of life that could bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he would convene senior ministers after the ruling.

South Africa hailed the ruling, with Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor saying it was a "much stronger... set of provisional measures, very clear call for a cessation."