ICJ Orders Israel to Stop Rafah Assault

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled earlier today in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel — South Africa v. Israel — and ordered Israel to stop its assault on Rafah in the Gaza Strip by a vote of 13-2. The ICJ also ordered Israel to open the Rafah crossing to allow humanitarian aid to cross from Egypt into Gaza.

The ICJ claimed that nearly 800,000 people have been displaced from Rafah in the last six days, stating in a press release:

The military ground offensive in Rafah, which Israel started on 7 May 2024, is still ongoing and has led to new evacuation orders. As a result, according to United Nations reports, nearly 800,000 people have been displaced from Rafah as at 18 May 2024.

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the ICJ decision, stating on X:

Joint Statement by the Head of the National Security Council and the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: The charges of genocide brought by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice in the Hague are false, outrageous and morally repugnant. Following the horrific attack against the citizens of Israel on October 7th, 2023, Israel embarked upon a defensive and just war to eliminate Hamas and to secure the release of our hostages. Israel is acting based on its right to defend its territory and its citizens, consistent with its moral values and in compliance with international law, including international humanitarian law. Israel has not and will not conduct military actions in the Rafah area which may inflict on the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza conditions of life that could bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part. Israel will continue its efforts to enable humanitarian assistance and will act, in full compliance with the law, to reduce as much as possible harm caused to the civilian population in Gaza. Israel will continue to enable the Rafah crossing to remain open for the entry of humanitarian assistance from the Egyptian side of the border, and will prevent terror groups from controlling the passage.

Earlier today, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) lashed out in response to the Court’s decision, saying the ICJ “can go to hell.” Graham stated on X:

As far as I’m concerned, the ICJ can go to hell. It is long past time to stand up to these so-called international justice organizations associated with the UN. Their anti-Israel bias is overwhelming. The ICJ’s ruling that Israel should stop operations that are necessary to destroy four battalions of Hamas killers and terrorists — who use Palestinians as human shields — is ridiculous. This will and should be ignored by Israel.