Israel must immediately halt its military offensive, rules International Court of Justice

Israel must immediately halt its military offensive in Gaza, the International Court of Justice has ruled. #Israel #Gaza #ICJ The ruling came after South Africa petitioned the world court to stop Israel entering Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza Strip. The petition is part of a wider genocide case against Israel, which judges have not yet ruled on. “In conformity with the obligations under the genocide convention Israel must immediately halt its military offensive and any other action in [Rafah] which may inflict on the Palestinian group in Gaza,” presiding judge Nawaf Salam said on Friday at a hearing. The UN court’s rulings are binding but it has no way of enforcing them. Israel has said that a pause in fighting would allow an already resurgent Hamas to regroup. South Africa has framed the Israeli military operation in Gaza as part of a genocidal plan aimed at bringing about the destruction of the Palestinian people. Continue following live coverage of this story: