The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has called on the Israeli occupation to halt its military offensive on Rafah city in the southern Gaza Strip immediately, affirming that the situation in Rafah has deteriorated further since the recent ruling rendered by the ICJ and stressed the need for opening the Rafah crossing to humanitarian convoys.
The ICJ’s latest order comes even as Israel continues its offensive which has, since October 7, 2023, killed at least 35,800 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and injured more than 80,000. Israel has so far ignored calls for ceasefire by the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council as well as the earlier directives by the International Court of Justice.
The World Court ruled that the Israeli occupation must submit a report of the measures taken within one month, stressing the importance of maintaining the evidence and taking essential measures to ensure unhindered arrival of investigators in the Gaza Strip. The court deemed Israeli measures inadequate to alleviate the plight of Palestinians.
Reacting to the ICJ decision, Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General H E Jasem Mohmed Albudaiwi said the decision reflects the international community’s commitment to international law and justice, and enhances the protection of the rights of the Palestinian people.
For its part, the State of Qatar has been working tirelessly to achieve a ceasefire in the strip and ensure sustained delivery of humanitarian aid. Qatar has sent close to 100 aircraft to deliver aid for the people of Gaza and has evacuated hundreds of injured Palestinians for treatment in Qatar. Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called on the international community to uphold its responsibility and confront every crime committed by the occupation authority. He said the escalation in Rafah is unacceptable and directly contributes to expanding violence, targeting the civilians and perpetuating the catastrophe.
And even as global attention is focused on the crisis in the Gaza Strip, another war is going on in the occupied West Bank, where more than 500 Palestinians have been killed since October 7 last year. This week Jenin city in the occupied West Bank witnessed the killing of 12 Palestinians during clashes with the Israeli occupation soldiers during raids on Jenin streets, followed by a large-scale devastation of infrastructure.
The world agrees on the need for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid into the territory.
It is time the global community put the words into action and ensure compliance with these court decisions on the ground.
