ICJ orders Israel to halt Rafah military offensive, open crossing for aid
New Delhi: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has issued a directive to Israel, demanding an immediate cessation of its military offensive in Rafah and the opening of the Rafah crossing to facilitate humanitarian aid.
Nawaf Salam, the President of the ICJ, announced the court's order, highlighting the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. The court's order, originally issued on January 26, 2024, and reiterated on March 28, underscored the severe risk of further deterioration in Gaza's humanitarian situation. Since the March order, the situation has only worsened.
The ICJ's ruling saw 13 judges vote in favor of implementing provisional measures outlined in the January and March orders, while two judges dissented. The court's decision mandates Israel to halt its Rafah military operations and ensure the Rafah crossing is opened for the unhindered delivery of essential services and humanitarian aid.
Moreover, the ICJ ordered Israel to guarantee unimpeded access to the Gaza Strip for any United Nations-mandated commission of inquiry, fact-finding mission, or investigative body tasked with investigating allegations of genocide.
The court stated, "Effective measures must be taken to ensure the unimpeded access to the Gaza Strip for any commission of inquiry, fact-finding mission, or other investigative body mandated by competent organs of the United Nations to investigate allegations of genocide."
Israel is required to submit a report detailing the implementation of these orders within one month.
The judges who voted in favor of the measures include President Nawaf Salam, and Judges Abraham, Yusuf, Xue, Bhandari, Iwasawa, Nolte, Charlesworth, Brant, Gómez Robledo, Cleveland, Aurescu, and Tladi. Vice-President Sebutinde and Judge ad hoc Barak dissented.
These orders stem from a request by South Africa on May 10 for provisional measures in the case concerning the application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip.
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Trump threatens China with 50% tariffs if it sends arms to Iran
Washington (AP): The US president said his threat to impose 50% tariffs on goods from countries that sold weapons to Iran was aimed at China.
Trump told Fox News' “Sunday Morning Futures” that has heard reports of China giving anti-aircraft “shoulder missiles” to Iran. He played down the possibility of China supplying weapons to Iran, but said their goods would be taxed if they did.
“I doubt they would do that, because I have a relationship, and I think they wouldn't do that, but maybe they did a little bit at the beginning,” Trump said. “But if we catch them doing that, they get a 50% tariff.”
