ICJ orders Israel to halt Rafah offensive amid genocide concerns

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a critical order Friday, directing Israel to cease its military offensive in Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip.

This directive came as a response to concerns raised by South Africa in the ongoing genocide case against Israel.

Judge Nawaf Salam, the ICJ’s president, emphasized the urgency of halting any actions in Rafah that could endanger the Palestinian population, potentially leading to their physical destruction.

The International Court noted a modification in its previous order from March 28, prompted by the escalating offensive in Rafah, where many displaced Palestinians sought refuge amid ongoing conflict, forcing over 800,000 to flee the city.

The ruling pointed out Israel’s failure to adequately address the concerns stemming from its military operations in Rafah. Besides halting the offensive, the ICJ called on Israel to ensure the Rafah border crossing remains open, facilitating unimpeded access to basic services and humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Furthermore, the ICJ mandated Israel to submit a detailed report within one month, outlining the steps taken to comply with the new order.

This comprehensive action plan aligns with the ICJ’s insistence on upholding obligations under the Genocide Convention and safeguarding humanitarian access to Gaza through the Rafah border crossing.