Nevertheless, this recent decision of ICJ has not changed anything about Israel’s current military actions in Gaza. The ruling that called for a stop to the operation seen as necessary by the Israeli government to defeat Hamas and rescue hostages did not change anything, with continuous military activities being observed. In fact, during the announcement of the decision, air strikes have left massive destruction in place while Israeli tanks are advancing into Rafah area.
Netanyahu’s right-wing colleagues have expressed their anger blaming ICJ of anti-Semitism and discrimination in favor of Hamas. Eylon Levy, who was a former government spokesman outlined Judge Nawaf Salam is Lebanese then explained that his background must have influenced his verdict.
For Netanyahu’s critics, it represents a country growing ever more isolated on the world stage. These include: potential arrest warrants from ICC for both Netanyahu and his Defense minister; Europe shifting toward recognition of Palestine as a state; and maybe even Biden administration appearing frustrated with Israel’s lack of commitment to some meaningful future plans.
The failure by Israel to convince judges at ICJ has made it upset. It insists that there were efforts aimed at ensuring that residents of Rafah are safe and get enough foodstuffs together with other essential items supplied to Gaza. Even though there has been limited international assistance towards southern Gaza since Operation Protective Edge commenced nearly three weeks ago, there have been no bans on commercial goods entering thus ensuring availability if not affordability of food supplies. Thus far anticipated mass starvation has not happened and perhaps due to opening new crossing points conditions might have improved in Northern Gaza strip.
However, these steps were deemed insufficient by ICJ which named ongoing mass displacement as one threat against Palestinian lives and well-being necessitating additional measures. According to South Africa “Rafah is the last line of defense” for Palestine implying that its capture would be severely destructive for Palestinians’ existence. This is what court wants to avoid. On its part , Israel’s counters that its operation in the south is not aimed at such consequences and seems determined to keep its current strategy.
