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ICJ orders Israel to halt military operations in Rafah amid humanitarian crisis

The International Court of Justice mandates an immediate cessation of Israel’s military actions in Rafah, Gaza, highlighting the severe humanitarian impact and escalating global scrutiny. The court’s decision also emphasizes the necessity of keeping critical humanitarian channels open.

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The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, has issued a stern directive for Israel to immediately cease its military operations in Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip. This ruling heightens global scrutiny and pressure on Israel amidst its ongoing conflict with Hamas.

ICJ President Nawaf Salam announced the court’s decision, which mandates Israel to halt any actions in Rafah that could lead to the physical destruction, in whole or in part, of the Palestinian population. This significant order underscores the dire humanitarian crisis that has escalated as Israel intensified its military focus on what it claims to be a major stronghold of Hamas.

The Court explicitly noted the catastrophic humanitarian conditions in Gaza, which have markedly worsened since the onset of Israeli military operations. The judges stressed that the actions in Rafah not only pose a real and imminent risk to the Palestinian population but have already led to extensive displacement and suffering.

President Salam stated that the court is not convinced by the evacuation effort and related measures that Israel claims to have undertaken to enhance the security of civilians in the Gaza Strip, particularly those recently displaced from the governorate. He expressed the court’s concerns that these measures are insufficient to alleviate the immense risk to which the Palestinian population is exposed due to the military offensive in Rafah.

The ICJ’s orders aim to mitigate these conditions by ensuring the unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance and the preservation of evidence concerning allegations of genocide.

Reacting to the escalating crisis, the ICJ also ordered that the Rafah crossing, a critical conduit for humanitarian aid, remain open. This is to ensure the continued flow of essential supplies to over one million people who have sought refuge in Rafah after fleeing fighting elsewhere in Gaza.

The ICJ’s decision has elicited a mix of international and domestic responses.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, under considerable pressure both internationally and from his constituents, announced a special ministerial meeting to deliberate on the court’s orders. Meanwhile, opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the ruling for not addressing the linkage between the military operations and the ongoing hostage crisis involving Israelis held by Hamas.

Globally, the ruling has catalyzed calls for increased diplomatic efforts. Balkees Jarrah, Associate International Justice Director at Human Rights Watch, emphasized that, “The ICJ’s decision opens up the possibility for relief, but only if governments use their leverage, including through arms embargoes and targeted sanctions, to press Israel to urgently enforce the court’s measures.”

Although the ICJ has no police force to enforce its orders, its decisions carry significant legal and moral authority. The ruling not only impacts the immediate military strategies of Israel but also sets a precedent for international legal responses to conflicts involving allegations of genocide.

On Monday, ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan said he had asked ICC judges to approve arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and three top Hamas leaders—Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh—on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in both the Gaza Strip and Israel.

Israel is not an ICC member, so even if the arrest warrants are issued, Netanyahu and Gallant do not face any immediate risk of prosecution. However, the threat of arrest could restrict the Israeli leaders’ ability to travel abroad.

Israel’s offensive in response to the 7 October attack by Hamas has resulted in over 35,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, many of whom are women and children. The operation has obliterated entire neighbourhoods, forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes, and pushed parts of the territory into famine.

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Time for all to repent.

They should not have started 7th October attacks and cry victims now.

If the Palestinians and Hamas are righteous people, I am very sure many countries
will take them and provide food and lodging.

I don’t mind letting them stay in my house but too bad they are not righteous.

Suggest they try Arab nations to take them.

Israel has sent out warnings to Gaza before they take action.

Israel has sent out warnings to Rafah before they take action.

They chose not to move or say there is no place to go.

Don’t forget 90% Palestinians listen to Hamas not to move

1) sending 4500 missiles to Israel on 7th October & killing innocent lives, tourists, children are totally not acceptable
 
2) sending 4500 missiles to Israel on 7 Oct 2023, Palestine claiming they are victimized is totally not acceptable
 
3) Holding civilians as hostages on 7th October and threating to kill them is totally not acceptable
 
4) Sending 4,500 missiles to Israel on 7th October and claiming Israel are terrorists are totally not acceptable

Last edited 4 months ago by john lim

Why ICJ didn’t order Hamas to hand over ALL hostages within (say) a week after the 7 Oct terrorist attack? ICJ just issues order after order, betting eventually someone would blink an eye, and then can claim it is an effective agency. Fat cats there then justify their continual existence, like SG monkeys justify their “deserved” million$ salary.

Those who support Hamas are called terrorists supporters

Hamas terrorists are still firing missiles at Tel Aviv.

ICJ, ICC & UN = Where are you ?

Who started the genocide on 7th October?

Some here are hamas or muslim lovers. Islam no compulsion? As people say islam is like hotel california. You can check in but cannot check out. Apostasy laws are there to stop leaving religion. Anyway muhammad is sick man who was sex crazy. He even married his adopted son’s wife after adopted son divorced the wife. Why he divorce? Because he saw muhammad was interested in his wife. And muslims say muhammad is perfect man. Very funny this.

Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Feb 0627 AD The Massacre of the Banu Qurayza After the Muslims had repelled the Pagans at the Battle of the Trench, Muhammad turned on the Jewish tribe of Medina known as the Banu Qurayza. The Banu Qurayza had planned to defect to the enemy during the Battle of the Trench but in the end they decided against it. According to Sahih Bukhari, it was the Angel Gabriel that actually commanded Muhammad to attack them (Sahih Bukhari, book 52, #68). In revenge for their planned treachery, Muhammad ordered a… Read more »

Fools think its right to hold civilians as hostages.

Hamas killed 35,800 Palestinians by telling them NOT to move to the South.
Thank you Hamas !!

Who owns Palestine and Israel?

ICC, ICJ, UN owns Palestine & Israel?

Netanyahu already said so many times: No Hostages, No Cease Fire !!!!

great my friend

Where do circus clowns go when they get retrenched?
ICJ ,ICC and UN.
So now you all know!😆😆😆😆🤣🤣🤣

ICC< ICJ and UN, please form a circus

ICJ listen to South Africa? LOL

why not ask South Africa show Israel their bank accounts? LOL

Putin is walking around in China. What is UN, ICJ doing? tsk tsk tsk

Lets see what the US as the “leader” of the RULES BASED international order will do. Or will Israel will be allowed to do as it pleases because otherwise it will be “anti-semitic”. That’s Israeli exceptionalism and non-accountability … just like the PAP govt 🙂

If only, … if only ICJ’s words and orders are respected and abided by, .. if only !!!

Then there’d be no atrocities against mankind or contempt against humanity or sovereignty, as is the case, … in Ukraine, Myanmar, XinJiang, SCSeas, HongKong, Taiwan, Syria, ………….

If only, ………..

But it’ll be a celebratory day nonetheless, … for the fans and ill~informed supporters of communism, terrorists and dictators !!!

If only, …………

Last checked, Putin is still showed the middle finger to ICJ. China still showing middle finger to UN over the SCS. Gaza is just a small prick on the global scene – just the right size for ICJ/UN to show someone might listen to them..

ICJ have been out of work for Sometime Now!!!
Therefore they want to assert some Power.
Too Bad!!!!
Talk To Hand.
Rawandan genocide was sponsored by 1 idiot, who was living in France, can you do something quick to him.
Hahahaha.

Hope the Zionist govt. stops the genocide and agrees to negotiate with Hamas on prisoners exchange for hostages and the pulling out of all Israeli forces including Zionist settlors on Occupied Lands. It is time for The Zionists to return to the borders of 1948.

Yes STOP the war there…and everywhere else!
Enough is Enough of killing and destruction …

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