Israel ignores the court’s request and attacks Rafah The world and science

Waves of smoke during Israeli raids east of Rafah, south of the Gaza StripFrance Press agency

Published on 25/05/2024 at 09:37

A few minutes after the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to “immediately suspend” its operations in Rafah, on Saturday, the 25th of this month, the Israeli army carried out a series of air strikes on the Shaboura field in the center of the city. South Gaza city.

The decision of the International Court of Justice, a United Nations court based in The Hague, accepted a request from South Africa. In this opinion, the court’s judges pointed to the “catastrophic” humanitarian situation in the Strip, noting that the Israeli attack and any actions might cause it. The total or partial destruction of the Palestinians must stop.

The International Court of Justice also ordered Israel to keep the Rafah crossing open so that Gazans can access humanitarian aid “without restrictions” and called for the “immediate and unconditional release” of the hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7.

isolation

However, four of the 15 ICJ judges – including an Israeli – stated that this opinion does not prevent Israel from continuing its operations in Rafah, as long as the country complies with the obligations imposed by the Geneva Convention on Genocide.

Although the decision is binding, the ICJ order is not enforceable, and Israeli ministers have already indicated that they do not intend to abide by the decision. The Court has no way to force any country to respect its decisions. Yesterday, the American and British governments expressed their solidarity with Israel and rejected the opinion of The Hague.

However, the decision puts more pressure on Israel, which has become increasingly isolated internationally – and also on the Americans and British, who had previously tried to impose restrictions on the military operation in Rafah. This is the third blow that Israeli diplomacy has received within a week.

The first was the request by the ICC Prosecutor, Karim Khan, to issue an international arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Defense Minister Yoav Galant, as well as Hamas leaders. The International Criminal Court is analyzing the case. On Wednesday, Spain, Ireland and Norway recognized the Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, prompting Israel to recall its ambassadors to the three countries.