Israel Rejects ICJ Order to Halt Gaza Attacks, Claims Compliance with International Law

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The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the United Nations' highest judicial body, has ordered Israel to immediately cease its attacks on Rafah, the southernmost part of the Gaza Strip in Palestine. In response, Israel dismissed the order, stating that it is "acting in accordance with international law."

According to foreign media on the 24th (local time), the Chairman of Israel's National Security Council and the Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated in a joint statement that "Israel is acting in compliance with international law, including international humanitarian law, based on the right to protect its territory and citizens and in accordance with Israel's moral values."

They emphasized, "Israel has not conducted and will not conduct military actions in the Rafah area that could cause total or partial physical destruction of the living environment for Palestinian civilians."

They also added that Israel "will continue efforts to enable humanitarian aid and will act in compliance with the law to minimize civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip."

Regarding South Africa's genocide allegations against Israel filed with the ICJ, they condemned them as "untrue, absurd, and disgusting."

Earlier that day, during hearings held in The Hague, Netherlands, the ICJ ordered Israel to "immediately cease military attacks and all other acts in Rafah." The court also demanded that Israel open the Rafah crossing with Egypt to allow large-scale humanitarian aid to Gaza and guarantee unrestricted access for on-site investigations.

However, considering Israel's previous refusal to comply with earlier ICJ orders while asserting the justification of war, it is expected that Israel will reject compliance this time as well. Although the ICJ's provisional orders are legally binding, the ICJ does not have the authority to enforce them.