Only two out of 15 judges opposed the decisions made by the International Court of Justice on Friday, which ordered Israel to cease its assault on Rafah in southern Gaza and allow the entry of aid. The court's ruling was approved by a panel of 15 judges from around the world by a majority of 13 votes, with only two judges opposing it: one from Uganda and the other from Israel, according to media reports.
The judges in question are Ugandan judge Julia Sebutinde, who is the deputy president of the court, and special judge Aharon Barak from Israel. Barak is not one of the 15 judges of the court but is on the list of special judges selected for specific cases presented to the court.
According to paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article 31 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice, each state party in any case before the court, which does not have a judge of its nationality on the panel, may choose a person to serve as a special judge.
Although the court lacks the means to enforce its orders, the case is a clear indication of Israel's international isolation due to its war in Gaza, especially since the onset of its assault on the city of Rafah this month, contrary to the wishes of the United States, its closest ally.
The court's president, Nawaf Salam, stated during the ruling that the situation in Gaza has continued to deteriorate since the court previously ordered Israel to take measures to prevent acts of genocide. He added that conditions have been met for new emergency measures.
Israeli officials expressed their anger and rejection of the International Court's decisions, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office affirmed that Israel is "in a just defensive war to destroy Hamas and secure the release of our captives."
