The United Nations' top court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), has issued a binding order directing Israel to immediately halt its military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

This ruling significantly escalates international pressure on Israel regarding its ongoing war against the Hamas militant group.

Israel initiated a limited ground offensive in Rafah on May 7, despite widespread international opposition, including from the United States. The offensive has resulted in the displacement of approximately 800,000 Palestinians, adding to the already dire humanitarian situation.

In its ruling, the ICJ emphasized the urgent need for Israel to cease its military actions, stating that the continuation of the operation would only exacerbate the already "disastrous" humanitarian conditions in Rafah. The court expressed particular concern about the closure of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, a vital entry point for humanitarian aid.

Judge Nawaf Salam, President of the ICJ, stressed that Israel must take immediate action to alleviate the immense risk faced by the Palestinian population. The court ordered Israel to open the Rafah crossing for humanitarian assistance and ensure that evacuation and living conditions are sufficient to mitigate the risks faced by the civilian population.

Israeli officials have strongly condemned the ICJ's ruling, with opposition leader Yair Lapid criticizing the court's failure to directly connect the end of the military operation to the release of hostages and Israel's right to defend itself against terror. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett denounced the ruling as a "perfect method for terror organizations to get away with murder."

In contrast, Hamas has welcomed the ruling but expressed disappointment that it did not extend to the entire Gaza Strip, emphasizing that other cities like Jabalya face equally dire situations.

While the ICJ's rulings are final and binding, the court lacks a mechanism for enforcement, and its decisions have been ignored in the past. South Africa, which filed an urgent request for additional measures against Israel, accused the country of using forced evacuation orders to endanger civilian life.

In response to the ruling, Israel's National Security Council and Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a joint statement asserting that Israel will not carry out military activity in Rafah that could lead to the destruction of the Palestinian civilian population. The statement also pledged continued efforts to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza and reduce harm to the civilian population.

This ruling comes on the heels of the International Criminal Court's (ICC) prosecutor seeking arrest warrants for Hamas leaders, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the October 7 attacks on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza.