Israel must comply with the order of the International Court of Justice in The Hague to immediately stop its military offensive in Rafah, wrote in "X" the high representative of the EU for foreign policy and security, Josep Borrell, writes BTA.
"The rulings of the International Court of Justice in The Hague are binding on the parties and must be implemented fully and effectively," Borel stressed.
He noted that Israel must also keep the Rafah border crossing open for the delivery of humanitarian aid. The country must also guarantee access to any UN-appointed body investigating the genocide charges against it, as well as submit a report to the court on all measures taken to implement the order, Borrell added.
The operation is officially directed against the Palestinian armed group "Hamas", but it is also causing enormous suffering to thousands of civilians who have fallen into the city, DPA notes. According to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, the humanitarian situation in Rafah is currently "catastrophic" and additional measures are needed to prevent further harm to civilians.
Yesterday, Israel responded to the court's ruling by insisting that its actions in Rafah were part of a "defensive and just war" after the terrorist attacks carried out by "Hamas" on October 7. In a joint statement, the head of Israel's National Security Council and the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the country "has not conducted and will not conduct military operations in the Rafah area that could cause the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza living conditions , which could lead to its physical destruction in whole or in part".
"The genocide charges brought by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague are fabricated, outrageous and morally repugnant," the statement added.