Israel Ordered by UN Court to Halt Rafah Military Operations
- Israel must open Rafah crossing for humanitarian aid: court
- Decision in favor of court’s order was 13 votes to 2
Smoke rises over Southern Gaza on May 24.
Photographer: Amir Levy/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
The United Nations’ top court ordered Israel to immediately halt its military operations in the Rafah region of the Gaza Strip, partially granting a request by South Africa in a case over genocide allegations.
Israel must open the Rafah border crossing for humanitarian assistance and submit a report on the measures it’s taking to do that within one month, the International Court of Justice ruled by a vote of 13-2 on Friday. The ICJ’s judgments are binding, with no right of appeal, but it has no mechanism to enforce any order.