UN Court Orders Israel to Cease Rafah Operations

The top United Nations court has mandated Israel to halt its military actions in Rafah, Gaza. Despite the order, Israel cites its right to self-defense against Hamas militants and may not comply. This ruling increases international pressure on Israel to mitigate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The top United Nations court has ordered Israel to halt its military operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Israel insists it has the right to defend itself from Hamas militants and is unlikely to comply with the ruling.

The order by the International Court of Justice further ratchets up international pressure on an increasingly isolated Israel to rein in its war on Hamas in Gaza.

Friday's decision marked the third time this year the 15-judge panel has issued preliminary orders seeking to rein in the death toll and alleviate humanitarian suffering in Gaza. While orders are legally binding, the court has no police to enforce them.