Israel rejects UN court order to stop Rafah attack 'immediately'

In a decision rejected by Israeli officials, the UN's highest court on Friday ordered Israel to “immediately” end its military attack on the southern Gaza town of Rafah, saying the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territory was “disastrous”.

The decision read aloud by Judge Nawaf Salam of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague followed an urgent request submitted by South Africa. South Africa justified its application to the ICJ by arguing that the Court's previous measures in relation to the war in Gaza were inadequate. Israel rejected Friday's decision.

“South Africa's accusations of genocide against Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague are false, scandalous and morally repugnant,” National Security Council head and Ministry of Affairs spokesperson said foreign countries in a joint press release. . “After the horrific attack on Israeli citizens on October 7, 2023, Israel embarked on a defensive and just war to eliminate Hamas and secure the release of our hostages,” the statement continued.

“Israel acts on the basis of its right to defend its territory and its citizens, in accordance with its moral values ​​and in compliance with international law, including international humanitarian law.” “Israel has not and will not carry out military actions in the Rafah area that could inflict upon the Palestinian civilian population of Gaza living conditions that could lead to their physical destruction, in whole or in part.”

The statement promised that Israel “will continue its efforts to enable humanitarian assistance and will act, in full compliance with the law, to reduce as much as possible the harm caused to the civilian population of Gaza.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was discussing the decision with senior Cabinet ministers, according to Israeli media.

South Africa has already repeatedly requested measures against Israel in summary proceedings. It's part of the genocide lawsuit the country filed with the court in December. In two emergency rulings, U.N. judges forced Israel to do everything possible to prevent genocide and authorize humanitarian aid.

The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas welcomed the decision. In a statement released Friday, Hamas called on the international community and the United Nations to put pressure on Israel. A member of Hamas' political bureau stressed that without international pressure, the court's decision would have no effect.

Egypt and Jordan also welcomed the ICJ's decision and urged the UN Security Council to pressure Israel to end its operations. The Palestinian Authority has called for increased international pressure on Israel following the ICJ ruling. The international community should force Israel to implement the decision, she said in a statement issued in Ramallah on Friday.

The authority believes that the court's decision confirms the view that Israel is committing war crimes. South Africa also welcomed the ICJ's decision on Friday. The ruling African National Congress (ANC) called the decision a confirmation of the principles of justice, human rights and the rule of law.

However, echoing the words of former South African leader Nelson Mandela, President Cyril Ramaphosa said: “We will not be completely free until the Palestinian people are free.” With its decision, the highest court of the United Nations partially granted the requests made by South Africa in an urgent appeal.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the ICJ's decisions were “binding” and he “hopes that the parties will duly comply with the Court's order”, said his spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric . “In accordance with the Statute of the Court, the Secretary-General will also promptly transmit to the Security Council notification of the provisional measures ordered by the Court,” he said.

Even if the decisions of the UN's highest court are binding, they have no means to enforce compliance. It can, however, appeal to the UN Security Council to act. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Benny Gantz, a member of Israel's war cabinet, on Friday, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

“Secretary Blinken and Minister Gantz discussed the latest efforts to achieve a ceasefire as part of an agreement to free the hostages and prevent the conflict from spreading across the region,” Miller said. Blinken reiterated that talks between Israel and Egypt must be concluded in order to reopen the Rafah border crossing as soon as possible, Miller said. He also highlighted the “urgent need” to protect civilians and aid workers in Gaza and de-escalate the situation in the West Bank.

Hamas gunmen killed some 1,200 people in Israel on October 7. Israel responded with a devastating air and ground campaign that Hamas-led health authorities say has killed more than 35,000 people in the territory. Israel has pledged to continue its military operations until Hamas is completely eliminated in Gaza.

(With inputs from IANS)