Despite the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague ordering Israel to immediately halt its military operations in Rafah on Friday, the Israeli assault on Gaza continues.
The emergency ruling from the International Court of Justice came after South Africa accused Israel of committing acts of genocide, yet the court did not order a ceasefire in Gaza, nor did it dispatch police forces to enforce the ruling. Israel maintains that its military operations in Rafah comply with international law and that there is no “imminent danger of Palestinian civilians facing destruction” in the southern city of Gaza. This month, Israel simultaneously attacked the northern and southern cities of Gaza, prompting hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to flee their homes.
According to the Israeli military, on Friday they conducted military operations in “specific areas of Rafah,” targeting and eliminating armed militants, dismantling parts of Hamas’ tunnel system, and searching for weapons caches.
Israel asserts that despite increasing international opposition, operations in Rafah are necessary to clear out Hamas forces hiding there and to rescue some Israeli hostages detained in the city.
Since the outbreak of the conflict, Rafah has served as a refuge for displaced Gazans fleeing violence in other areas. However, after coming under attack, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have fled the city.
A Rafah resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, told Reuters, “The occupying forces have been bombing this city not only in the eastern part but also in the central and western parts, attempting to intimidate people into fleeing the entire city.”
So far, most of the fighting has occurred on the southern outskirts and eastern regions of Rafah, away from the most densely populated areas.
The United States has urged Israel to refrain from entering more central city streets and has requested Israel to provide a credible plan to avoid causing extensive casualties.
In the more northern coastal strip, Israeli forces claim they are attempting to prevent Hamas militants from reestablishing their presence there.
Both Hamas, which governs Gaza, and the smaller Islamist armed group Islamic Jihad have stated that their fighters have launched anti-tank rockets and mortar shells at Israeli forces in the northern parts.
Residents and civilian emergency services organizations report that Israeli tanks have penetrated the Jabalia area in the northern Gaza Strip, destroying tens of homes, shops, and roads.
The Israeli military stated that their forces in Jabalia “eliminated dozens of Hamas terrorists” in close combat and airstrikes.
An informed official told Reuters that despite Israel’s ongoing offensive against the Palestinian militant group Hamas, both sides are set to resume mediation talks next week.
The anonymous source stated that following a meeting between the head of the Israeli Mossad intelligence agency, the director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and the Prime Minister of Qatar, both sides have agreed to hold talks.
The source added, “At the end of the meeting, it was decided to commence negotiations next week based on the new proposals put forward by the mediating countries of Egypt and Qatar, with active U.S. involvement.”
The Gaza conflict has been ongoing for over seven months, with mediators working towards achieving a breakthrough. Israel demands the release of hostages held by Hamas, while Hamas seeks the release of Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel and an end to the conflict.
Gaza’s Ministry of Health, controlled by Hamas, reports that over 35,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in Israel’s attacks on Gaza. They claim that no distinction has been made between civilians and armed militants.
The conflict began on October 7th last year when armed militants led by Hamas launched an attack on Israeli southern communities. According to Israeli estimates, the attack resulted in approximately 1,200 casualties, with over 250 people taken as hostages. It is believed that more than a hundred hostages are still being held in Gaza.