ICJ poised to order halt to Gaza war; Israel concerned over next steps

The prevailing assessment among Israeli officials is that the non-binding decision could come as soon as Friday. A significant concern is that injunctions from The Hague could precipitate a similar resolution by the UN Security Council, where Israel would again require a United States veto to block it.

Israeli officials anticipate that the International Court of Justice in The Hague will issue orders on Friday to halt the ongoing military conflict with Palestinian militants in Gaza, according to a senior diplomatic source. On Thursday, ICJ said it will rule on Friday on South Africa's request to order a halt to the Rafah offensive in Gaza that South Africa submitted.

Israeli forces in Rafah, May 2024 (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit) IDF Spokesperson's Unit

An Israeli diplomatic source told Israel Hayom that legal experts assessed there was a high probability the court would rule to issue injunctions following a petition filed by South Africa against Israel's military actions. The court is set to convene on Thursday, even though the court does not have binding authority.

The two potential scenarios, the source said, were that the court could order a cessation of Israeli operations in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, or further, that it could seek to halt the broader war in Gaza entirely through court injunctions.

Orders to halt the war represent the most severe scenario that Israel had feared since the initial Hague hearings in January. Such orders could significantly impede Israel's ability to continue its military mission in Gaza, though Israel has repeatedly emphasized it is not bound by the court's rulings.

A significant concern is that injunctions from The Hague could precipitate a similar resolution by the UN Security Council, where Israel would again require a United States veto to veto it. Israeli officials are bracing for that possibility in the coming days. The International Court of Justice, which is hearing the case against Israel brought by South Africa, is separate from the International Criminal Court.

Recently, the ICC's prosecutor Karim Khan submitted requests to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes even though the arguments he made against Israel were laughable. However, the ICJ cannot issue arrest warrants.

ICJ poised to order halt to Gaza war; Israel concerned over next steps

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