Awaiting the International Court's Decision on the Rafah Attack

Last week, South African lawyers requested the International Court of Justice under the United Nations to impose emergency measures, stating that the Israeli attacks on the city of Rafah in southern Gaza "must stop" to ensure the survival of the Palestinian people. The court's judges are set to decide on Friday on South Africa's request for an order to Israel to halt its attack on Rafah and withdraw from Gaza, as part of a broader case accusing Israel of committing genocide. An Israeli government spokesperson stated on Thursday: "No force on earth will prevent Israel from protecting its citizens and pursuing Hamas in Gaza." An Israeli military spokesperson clarified that the army is operating "cautiously and precisely" in Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have fled from Israeli bombardments and operations in other areas of the Palestinian territory. A ruling against Israel from the highest legal authority in the United Nations could increase diplomatic pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. Several European countries announced on Wednesday that they would recognize the State of Palestine, and the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, also based in The Hague, announced on Monday that a request for arrest warrants against Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Galant, and leaders of Hamas has been submitted.