Following a command from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) associated with the UN for Israel to end its military engagement in Rafah, situated in Gaza, a declaration rejecting the UN court’s order was jointly issued by Israel’s national security council and foreign ministry. They called the command “untrue, shocking and ludicrous” and confirmed the military campaign in Rafah would persist.
The joint declaration was released subsequent to emergency talks. It stated that Rafah would not be the target of Israel’s military endeavours that could potentially result in harm to the Palestinian civilian population. Israel emphasised its commitment to ensuring humanitarian aid reaches the Gaza strip and pledged to uphold laws that minimise harm to civilians.
An anticipated consequence of non-compliance with the court’s command is that allies of Palestine would likely urge the UN Security Council to approve a motion enforcing a ceasefire on Israel in respect to Rafah or all of Gaza. It is anticipated that such a motion could be challenged by a US veto, a political move that would likely bring adverse implications for Israel.
While Israeli officials expressed disappointment over the judgement at The Hague, they commended the stance of four out of 15 ICJ judges who argued the court’s ruling did not demand an immediate cessation of all military activity in Rafah. Instead, they argued the requirement was for a cease of military activities that might result in the partial or total physical devastation of the Palestinian people.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, a minister of the extreme right, called for Israel’s government to dismiss the court’s decision, referring to it as irrelevant and anti-Semitic. He demanded the takeover of Rafah, an escalation in military pressure, and the complete obliteration of Hamas.
Ron Dermer, the Strategic affairs minister who is known to be an affiliate of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, warned that the judgement could promote anti-Semitism globally due to the assumed weight of the accusations. He denounced the accusations as completely untrue, criticising the prosecutor for not taking the time to understand the situation.
Israeli representatives have voiced their apprehensions that developments on last Friday could complicate the path towards securing the release of hostages taken by Hamas during their incursion into Israel, on 7th October. This is anticipated to be a part of a ceasefire agreement. Israel harbours apprehensions about the absence of motivation for Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar to restore ceasefire negotiations as long as a resolution with the security council is on the anvil.
Yair Lapid, the leader of the opposition criticised the ruling suggesting it could’ve been averted. He argued that a competent and sensible government would’ve curbed irrational ministers from public declarations, detained the perpetrators setting ablaze to help convoys and conducted discreet and effective diplomatic activities.
Mr Lapid also rebuked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for not linking the cessation of hostilities with the repatriation of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and for ignoring Israel’s defence rights in the wake of terror.
[ International Court of Justice instructs Israel to cease military activities in Rafah ]
Though Hamas acknowledged the ICJ’s decision, it remarked that the court failed to demand an end to Israel’s assault on the entirety of Gaza. The armed group also lauded the ICJ’s intention to dispatch an investigative team to Gaza and pledged its assistance.
Jordan’s foreign minister, Ayman Safadi, claimed that the court has yet again revealed Israel’s war crimes in Gaza.
Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority, commended the judgement, stating it reflects a global agreement on the call to discontinue the comprehensive war on Gaza.