The International Court of Justice announced today, Thursday, that it will issue its ruling tomorrow, Friday, regarding South Africa's request for an order to halt the Israeli attack on Rafah in the Gaza Strip and emergency measures in the genocide case against Israel. Pretoria seeks for the court to order Israel to immediately cease all military operations in Gaza, including in Rafah, where ground operations began on May 7 despite international opposition.
The court stated in a press release that "a public session will be held at 3 PM at the Peace Palace in The Hague." In this context, "Israel Hayom" reported that "estimates indicate that the court will issue a decision to stop the war in Gaza." An Israeli high-ranking source told the newspaper: "According to judicial sources, there is a high likelihood that the court will make a decision against Israel, and a ruling will be issued."
According to the newspaper, the court's decision in this matter would require the position of the United Nations Security Council, in which case Israel would need the American veto. The court had previously ordered Israel in January to do everything in its power to prevent any acts of genocide and to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. However, it did not go so far as to issue an order for a ceasefire. Pretoria believes that the developments on the ground, particularly the operations in Rafah, require a new ruling from the International Court of Justice.
South Africa stated in hearings last week that the "genocide" being committed by Israel has reached a "horrific level," pointing to the discovery of mass graves and documented acts of torture and obstruction of humanitarian aid. The following day, Israel responded before the judges that the accusation of committing "genocide is completely detached from reality." Nonetheless, a decision in favor of Pretoria would represent another blow to Israel after the International Criminal Court's prosecutor Karim Khan requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant on charges of "crimes against humanity," along with three Hamas leaders.
