The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague ordered Israel on Friday, May 24, to immediately stop its military offensive on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, but did not call for a ceasefire in the enclave. The leader of the opposition in Israel called the ICJ ruling a “blatant failure morally.”
Following the ceasefire ruling, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately announced a special ministerial meeting to discuss the next steps. Opposition leader Yair Lapid mocked the decision, saying, “The International Court did not even link ending the Rafah military operation with the release of hostages and Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorist organizations. This is a blatant failure morally.”
The ruling stated that the court’s earlier concerns about the Rafah operation had now “become a reality,” demanding that Israel “immediately stop its military offensive in the city” and cease any actions that could lead to “actual destruction affecting all or part of the local Palestinian population.”
The court ordered Israel to continue opening the Rafah crossing, stating that the current humanitarian situation could be described as catastrophic. However, unlike what South Africa requested last week during the public hearing, the court did not call for a comprehensive ceasefire throughout Gaza.
During a public hearing at the International Court last week, South African Ambassador to the Netherlands Vusimuzi Madonsela requested the bench of 15 international judges to order Israel to “completely and unconditionally withdraw” from the Gaza Strip.
Israel rejected South Africa’s allegations, with Israeli legal team member Tamar Kaplan-Tourgeman telling the court last week, “Israel has taken extraordinary measures to minimize harm to civilians in Gaza.”
While the ICJ ruling is a blow to Israel’s international standing, the court lacks a police force to enforce its orders, which have been ignored in the past. In another case before the International Court, Russia continues to disregard the order issued in 2022 to stop its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
On October 7 last year, Hamas terrorists launched an attack on Israel, killing about 1,200 people, most of whom were civilians, and kidnapping approximately 250. The Hamas-Israel conflict erupted from this incident.
On Friday morning, Israel announced that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) had discovered the bodies of three hostages from overnight operations in northern Gaza. Less than a week ago, the Israeli military announced the discovery of the bodies of three other Israeli hostages killed on October 7 last year. It is estimated that there are still 121 hostages being held in Gaza.
Military spokesman Daniel Hagari stated on Friday that Israel is determined to bring back the remaining hostages being held in Gaza.
Hagari emphasized in a statement, “Hamas is holding our hostages in Rafah, that is why our forces are in Rafah.”
Israel previously stated that it would not comply with any orders to cease military operations. Israeli government spokesman Avi Hyman said in a press conference on Thursday, “No force in the world can prevent Israel from protecting its citizens and pursuing Hamas in Gaza.”
Earlier this week on Monday, May 20, Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Karim Khan applied to the court for arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu responded, “I emphatically reject the ICC prosecutor’s attempt to equate democratic Israel with the mass murderers of Hamas.” US President Biden later stated that the ICC prosecutor’s request for arrest warrants for Israeli leaders was “outrageous,” and Secretary of State Blinken harshly criticized the move, saying the US rejects the ICC prosecutor equating Israel with Hamas, calling it shameful.