Global Reactions to World Court's Halt Order on Gaza Assault

The World Court ordered Israel to cease its military actions in Rafah, Gaza, drawing varied reactions. The Palestinian Authority praised the ruling as a consensus against the war. In contrast, Israel's Finance Minister stated that halting the war equated to demanding Israel's cessation, which is unacceptable.

Israel was ordered by the World Court on Friday to halt its military assault on the city of Rafah in Gaza. Here are some reactions:

PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY The Palestinian Authority welcomed the ruling by the U.N.'s International Court of Justice.

"The presidency welcomes the decision issued by the International Court of Justice, which represents an international consensus on the demand to stop the all-out war on Gaza," Palestinian presidential spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh said. ISRAEL

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said after the ruling that those demanding Israel stop the war were also demanding that it cease to exist, which Israel would not agree to. Before the ruling, an Israeli government spokesperson said: "No power on Earth will stop Israel from protecting its citizens and going after Hamas in Gaza". (Compiled by Andrew Cawthorne, Editing by William Maclean)