ICJ Orders Israel to Halt Invasion of Rafah: Explainer and Analysis

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has issued a legally binding order for Israel to halt its invasion of Rafah, the southernmost town in Gaza. This comes after Israel’s two-week operation in Rafah, which led to the destruction of entire neighborhoods and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people.

According to the ICJ ruling, Israel must end its offensive on Rafah and take effective measures to protect civilian life. The court voted 13 judges to two in favor of Israel halting its operation in Rafah, citing violations of the rights of Palestinians under the Genocide Convention.

The ICJ also reaffirmed a previous ruling that Israel must scale up aid to Palestinians in Gaza. Legal scholars and analysts believe that the ICJ’s order reflects a loss of patience with Israel and intensifies pressure on Western states that arm Israel.

Despite the ruling, reports emerged of Israeli air raids in Rafah minutes after the decision was announced. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not made a formal statement yet, but analysts believe that Israel may continue to violate the ICJ’s order, as it did with earlier provisional measures.

Hamas welcomed the ICJ ruling, calling on the international community and the United Nations to pressure Israel to comply with the decision. However, Israeli officials have been defiant, accusing the court of aiding “terrorists” and warning against halting the operation in Rafah.

The ICJ’s orders are legally binding, but enforcement relies on members of the court upholding their obligations under international law and the UN Security Council taking united action. However, the US, which has historically shielded Israel from consequences at the UN, has a veto power that could impact the enforcement of the ruling.