Israel is unlikely to heed to the just passed order by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for it to halt the assault on Rafah.
Benny Gantz, a member of the war cabinet, has indicated this stance, stating that Israel would not change its course regarding Rafah.
He asserted that the State of Israel set out on a “just and necessary campaign following the brutal massacre of its citizens, abhorrent sexual violence perpetrated against its women, kidnapping of its children and rockets fired at its cities.”
“The State of Israel is committed to continue fighting to return its hostages and promise the security of its citizens – wherever and whenever necessary – including in Rafah.
“We will continue operating in accordance with international law wherever we might operate while safeguarding to the best extent possible the civilian population – not because of the ICJ but because of who we are and the values we stand for.”
Benny Gantz
In a statement, National Security Adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi insisted that Rafah operation does not risk destruction of Palestinians.
“Israel has not and will not carry out military operations in the Rafah area that create living conditions that could cause the destruction of the Palestinian civilian population, in whole or in part,” Hanegbi said.
The ICJ doesn’t have a police force to enforce its orders. As such, Israel can ignore its ruling.
Russia has ignored the court’s 2022 order to halt its full-scale invasion of Ukraine
Although Israel is unlikely to comply with the order, it will pile up the pressure on the increasingly isolated country.
Criticism of Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza has been growing, particularly since it turned its focus to Rafah.
Immediately after the ruling, Netanyahu announced that he would hold a special ministerial meeting to decide how to respond.
According to Akiva Eldar, a political analyst and contributor to an Israeli newspaper, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu will have to sit down with Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich and his inner cabinet to discuss a path forward after the World Court rulings.
“They have to meet to consider how they can use the ICJ rulings in their victimhood campaign, which they do best,” he stated.
This is while Netanyahu faces a countdown with the ultimatum given to him by Gantz, who said that he wants an agreement on a plan for the future of Gaza after the war by June 8, 2024.
On the military invasion of Rafah, Eldar said that Netanyahu is now caught between US President Joe Biden calling for a halt and Smotrich and other far-right Ministers asking the Prime Minister to push ahead.
“The only way to get away from this dilemma of choosing between Biden and Smotrich is to carry out independent inquiries and taking steps against people who were breaking international and Israeli law, for instance the people who attacked aid trucks going to Gaza.
“Biden may demand that at least Netanyahu pay lip service to the two-state solution and bring in the Saudis to make Netanyahu feel better politically.”
Akiva Eldar
CAIR Says Biden Stands Alone In Support for ‘Gaza genocide’
Meanwhile, the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) in a statement “applauded” the rulings by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) demanding an end to Israel’s attacks on Rafah.
“While the Biden administration stands alone in continuing to offer full support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza, the international community is increasingly pushing back against the slaughter, forced starvation and ethnic cleansing Israel’s far-right government is inflicting on the Palestinian people.”
Council on American Islamic Relations
The group stressed that Israel is clearly attempting to make Gaza uninhabitable.
“It must be stopped from completing this monstrous goal,” the group said.
The group added that President Joe Biden must honor “this important ruling by immediately ending all military assistance to Israel’s genocide.”
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