The latest blow to the Jewish country in a war that continues with significant civilian losses and no end in sight is the International Court of Justice’s decision that Israel must immediately cease its military offensive in Rafah, the southernmost city of Gaza. The UN top court requested Tel Aviv to take action to stop crimes of genocide in Gaza in January during the hearing of a case alleging genocide against Israel, which was led by South Africa. Although the court declined to issue a cease-fire order at the time, it has since concluded that Israel’s Rafah offensive may cause the city’s Palestinian population to be entirely or partially destroyed.
In addition to ordering the immediate release of all detainees, the court has also requested Israel to maintain the Rafah connection with Egypt open for the delivery of supplies and to let UN investigators to gather evidence about possible war crimes. The International Criminal Court’s Chief Prosecutor, Karim Khan, asserted that Israeli and Hamas leaders had committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, leading to the issuance of arrest warrants for Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh, Mohammed Deif, and Yahya Sinwar. The ruling of the ICJ follows these allegations.
These changes don’t seem to be bothering Israel. Following the International Court of Justice’s decision, Israeli fighter planes bombarded Rafah. Although the ICJ’s decisions are legally binding, the court is not equipped to put them into practice.
Tel Aviv appears to be operating in the dark more than seven months after the war started, which was brought on by Hamas’s cross-border raid on Israel on October 7 that claimed at least 1,200 lives. Mr. Netanyahu promised to destroy Hamas and free the hostages when he declared war on the organisation. Even in the northern and central parts of Gaza, where it had earlier declared victory, Israel is currently fighting Hamas. There are still at least 120 captives held by Hamas, the most of whom are thought to be dead.
The Israeli Defence Forces’ ineptitude is not the only thing that defines the war. Israel’s excessive use of force in Gaza has transformed the territory into a cemetery and swayed public opinion abroad against the country. The recognition of Palestine as a state this week by Norway, Ireland, and Spain demonstrates how attitudes are shifting even in the West. Today, Mr. Netanyahu seems incredibly stubborn.
He is solely concerned with a conflict that hasn’t improved Israel’s security at all. Israel has failed to meet its military goals; its deterrence has been undermined twice; peace with the Arabs is in ruins; it is alone in the world; its leaders may be subject to an arrest warrant; and the International Court of Justice has ruled against the manner it is waging war. Mr. Netanyahu’s efforts to punish the entire Palestinian population in Gaza for the actions of Hamas are contributing to the erosion of Israel’s credibility and the strengthening of international support for the Palestinian cause.
ABHISHEK VERMA
Author: This news is edited by: Abhishek Verma, (Editor, CANON TIMES)
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