New Delhi: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a landmark ruling on Friday, ordering Israel to “immediately” cease its military operations in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza. This decision is expected to increase international pressure on Israel, which has been embroiled in a conflict with Hamas since the group’s attack on October 7.
The ICJ ruled that Israel must halt its military offensive and refrain from any action in the Rafah governorate that could endanger the lives of Palestinians in Gaza, potentially leading to their physical destruction. Additionally, the court called for the immediate release of all hostages held by Palestinian militants, expressing deep concern over their captivity.
Earlier today, the Israeli military reported retrieving the bodies of three hostages in an overnight operation in the northern Gaza Strip’s Jabalia. These hostages had been abducted during the October 7 attack.
While the ICJ’s rulings are legally binding, they lack direct enforcement mechanisms. Nevertheless, the court also ordered Israel to reopen the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza, which Israel had closed at the beginning of its assault on Rafah. The purpose is to facilitate the unhindered provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance.
The ICJ’s order coincides with separate meetings in Paris later on Friday, where the CIA chief and Israeli representatives will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and the foreign ministers of four key Arab states to discuss the Gaza conflict.
As of now, the Israeli government has not officially responded to the ruling. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to discuss it with ministers soon. Israel argued before the court that ceasing military activities would allow Hamas extremists to act freely and hinder the Israeli army’s ability to rescue hostages taken during the October 7 attack.
In previous ICJ decisions, judges instructed Israel to prevent death, destruction, and genocide in Gaza but did not explicitly order an end to the military offensive. In March, the court-mandated Israel to take measures to improve the humanitarian situation.
On Monday, ICJ’s chief prosecutor Karim Khan requested arrest warrants from ICC judges for Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and three top Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza and Israel. Although Israel is not an ICC member, the threat of arrest could restrict their international travel.
Prime Minister Netanyahu faces domestic pressure to end the conflict, sparked by Hamas-led militants who killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took about 250 hostages in an attack on Israel. Thousands of Israelis have participated in weekly protests, urging the government to secure the hostages’ release, fearing time is running out.
Despite the ICJ ruling, the court lacks the power to enforce its decisions, as demonstrated by Russia’s disregard of a 2022 ICJ order to halt its invasion of Ukraine. Israel has indicated that it will likely ignore the ICJ’s order, with government spokesperson Avi Hyman asserting, “No power on earth will stop Israel from protecting its citizens and going after Hamas in Gaza.”.
