UN Court Halts Israel's Rafah Offensive: Urges Hostage Release
"The United Nations International Court of Justice has decreed that Israel must promptly cease its military offensive and other operations in Rafah, a city located in the southern Gaza Strip, citing an 'imminent danger' to the Palestinian populace,” as reported by the BBC.
Judge Nawaf Salam, presiding over the court, affirmed that the UN's International Court of Justice mandates Israel's cessation of the Rafah offensive due to heightened risks of irreparable harm to the rights of Gaza residents amidst the current circumstances.
He emphasised the evolving nature of the situation since the issuance of prior rulings by the International Court of Justice and the fulfilment of conditions warranting new emergency measures in this case.
Furthermore, the International Court of Justice has directed Israel to provide a report to the court within one month regarding the implementation of the prescribed measures.
Judge Salam also expressed the Court's profound concern regarding the plight of the hostages and urged their immediate and unconditional release.
'We are deeply concerned that many of them remain in captivity,' he added.
The United Nations International Court of Justice has instructed Israel to:
- Cease the military operation in Rafah;
- Facilitate the opening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt to allow for the entry of significant quantities of humanitarian aid;
- Grant access to investigators and investigative missions in Gaza;
- Submit a report to the Court within one month regarding the implementation of these measures.
The order received adoption by a majority of 13 votes to 2, with opposition solely from judges representing Uganda and Israel.
This pronouncement follows a request by South Africa in a case alleging Israel's involvement in genocide.
Israel has consistently refuted allegations of genocide, asserting in court that its operations in Gaza are acts of self-defense targeting Hamas militants who launched attacks on Israel on October 7th.
A spokesperson for the Israeli government, on the eve of Friday's decision, declared, 'No power on Earth will deter Israel from safeguarding its citizens and taking action against Hamas in Gaza.'
Israel initiated an assault on the city of Rafah in the southern region of the country this month, compelling hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to evacuate a city that had served as a refuge for approximately half of its 2.3 million inhabitants.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
