The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered Israel to stop its military actions in Rafah, Gaza. This ruling follows a request by South Africa, which accused Israel of committing genocide. Judge Nawaf Salam stated that the situation in Gaza has worsened and called for Israel to allow UN investigations and humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Israel has rejected the ICJ’s order, claiming its actions comply with international law and denying the allegations of genocide. Israel’s National Security Adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, and War Cabinet Minister, Benny Gantz, insisted military operations would continue as necessary.

Smoke rises during an Israeli airstrike in Rafah, 24 May, 2024

The Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, praised the ICJ ruling, demanding Israel comply. EU diplomat Josep Borrell expressed concerns about balancing support for Israel with the rule of law. Aid agencies have reported severe humanitarian crises in Gaza, with food distribution suspended due to safety concerns.

Heavy machinery disposes of rotten eggs, part of aid packages, as Rafah crossing remains closed to aid

Despite the ICJ’s ruling, Israel conducted airstrikes in Rafah shortly after the announcement. The UN reports that over 800,000 Palestinians have fled Rafah since the offensive began, with 1.5 million seeking shelter there. The conflict started after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, leading to over 35,800 Palestinian deaths according to Gaza’s health ministry.