On Foreign News
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.
The International Court of Justice also ruled Israel must keep open the key Rafah crossing for “unhindered” humanitarian aid and urged the “unconditional” release of hostages taken by Hamas during its October 7 assault.
Israel had argued before the court that an order to stop military activity would give free rein to Hamas extremists and prevent its army from rescuing hostages taken in the group’s brutal October 7 attack.
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, a very clear call for a cessation.”
The ICJ ruling comes hot on the heels of another highly charged decision on Monday by the International Criminal Court prosecutor to seek arrest warrants for top Israeli and Hamas leaders.
Prosecutor Karim Khan alleged that senior Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, plus top Hamas officials, were guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the war in Gaza and the October 7 attack.
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