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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Himanta resigns as Assam CM, paving way for formation of new govt
Guwahati (PTI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday resigned along with his cabinet colleagues, paving the way for formation of a new government led by the BJP, officials said.
The BJP-led NDA bagged 102 seats in the 126-member assembly. The assembly elections were held in a single phase on April 9, and counting of votes took place on May 4.
"Following the formal notification of the results of #AssamElections2026 and to enable the formation of the new government, Dr @himantabiswa tendered his resignation as Chief Minister along with that of the council of Ministers to Hon'ble Governor Shri @Laxmanacharya54 today at Lok Bhawan," the Chief Minister's Office said in a post on X.
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The Governor has accepted the resignation, and requested Sarma to continue as the caretaker CM till the new government assumes office, it said.
Later, speaking to reporters outside the Lok Bhawan, Sarma said the oath-taking ceremony is likely to take place after May 11.
“As it was a historic win, we have invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to grace the occasion," he said.
The new Assam chief minister will be selected at a meeting of the BJP legislature party in presence of central observers, Sarma said.
