The United Nations’ highest court has directed Israel to immediately stop its controversial military actions in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza, heightening global pressure on Israel amid its conflict with Hamas.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands, issued the order as part of an ongoing genocide case filed by South Africa.
Although ICJ rulings are definitive and binding, the court lacks the enforcement power, and such rulings have been disregarded before.
This ruling coincides with growing international and domestic calls for Israel to cease its Gaza operations.
Additionally, the prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC), another Hague-based court, has requested arrest warrants for Hamas leaders, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the October 7 attacks on Israel and the ensuing conflict in Gaza.
Meanwhile, families of Israeli hostages in Gaza have increased pressure on Netanyahu to secure their release, distributing graphic videos of female Israel Defense Forces members before their abduction.
