Israeli officials have strongly condemned a recent ruling of the United Nations top court, which had ordered the immediate halt of Israel's military offensive in Rafah, a city located in southern Gaza. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague had ordered the stop, following an emergency application by South Africa which had stated the severe humanitarian conditions in the Palestinian territory.
Judge Nawaf Salam who had made the ruling had ordered the stop of Israel military operation in Rafah, which he cited as causing a catastrophic humanitarian situation. South Africa's application to the ICJ is coming from its displeasure about the past interferences by the court on the Gaza war.
Israel has rejected the ruling given by ICJ, describing as false and morally repugnant the claim of genocide being raised against it by South Africa. The officials of the country re-iterated the position of Israel on the ground that its operations are military actions to defend its citizens from attacks and to neutralize any other threat posed by Hamas while respecting international law and humanitarian principles.
The statement said by Israel has re-iterated its commitment to avoiding harm against the civilian population of Gaza and facilitating humanitarian aid in the place. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was said to be discussing the ruling with some of his key Cabinet members.
Hamas, a Palestinian Islamist movement, supported the decision and urged the international community to bring pressure to bear on Israel. Egypt and Jordan also supported the ruling and called for the UN Security Council's intervention so as to force Israel to halt its operations.
The Palestinian Authority also gave its support and demanded more pressure on Israel as they said the court had recognized that Israel had committed war crimes. South Africa celebrated ICJ's decision and described it as a victory for justice and human rights. President Cyril Ramaphosa compared this decision with the question of apartheid.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that the decisions of the ICJ were binding and invited all participants to respect them. Simultaneously, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with the Israelis in order to bring about a conclusion that would advance in a cease-fire and improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Many people lost their lives in the conflict between Israel and Hamas on October 7, while Israel promised to continue the military campaign until Hamas was completely eliminated in Gaza.
Read also | EU Condemns China's Military Exercises Near Taiwan
Read also | Germany has no plans to recognise Palestinian state, Confirms Chancellor Scholz
