ICJ ORDERS ISRAEL TO IMMEDIATELY HALT RAFAH OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS

Why in the news?

  • The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to halt its military operations in Rafah “immediately.”
  • The court demanded that Israel keep the Rafah crossing open for “unhindered” humanitarian aid.
  • Israel must ensure the “unconditional” release of hostages taken by Hamas on October 7.

About Rafah City Location and Connectivity:

  • Location: Southern Gaza Strip, bordering Egypt.
  • Importance: Critical connection point for trade and movement.

Rafah Crossing:

  • Other Crossings:
    • Erez: Northern Gaza, for people, into Israel.
    • Kerem Shalom: Southern Gaza, commercial goods junction with Israel.
  • Aid Importance: Rafah is the sole humanitarian aid crossing.
  • Control: Controlled by Hamas and Egypt, but disrupted by Israeli air strikes in response to Hamas’s assault.
 source:scribd
About the International Court of Justice (ICJ):

  • Established: June 1945 by UN Charter; operational since April 1946.
  • Location: Peace Palace, The Hague, Netherlands (only UN organ not in New York).
  • Languages: French and English.
  • Public Hearings: Always.
  • Powers and Functions: Handles contentious cases between states and provides advisory opinions.

About Genocide Convention 1948:

  • Definition: Genocide involves acts intended to destroy a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group.
  • Acts Include: Killing, causing harm, inflicting destructive conditions, preventing births, and transferring children.
  • Context: Applicable in wartime and peacetime.
  • India: Ratified in 1959; no specific legislation enacted.

Associated Article:

https://universalinstitutions.com/israeli-forces-advance-in-rafah-prompting-mass-palestinian-exodus/