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.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Sambhal violence: Prohibitory orders issued, outsiders barred from entry till Nov 30
Sambhal (UP) (PTI): The district administration has imposed prohibitory orders and barred the entry of outsiders till November 30 after three men were killed and scores of others, including security and administration personnel, injured in a violence by protesters opposing a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque.
The order has been issued under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), said District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya late on Sunday.
"No outsiders, other social organisations or public representatives will enter the district border without the permission of the competent officer," said the order, which came into force with immediate effect.
Violation of the order will be punishable under Section 223 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the BNS.
Violence broke out in the district on Sunday as protesters opposing the survey of the Jama Masjid clashed with security personnel. The protesters torched vehicles and pelted the police with stones while the security personnel used tear gas and batons to disperse the mob.
Divisional Commissioner (Moradabad) Aunjaneya Kumar Singh said on Sunday, "Shots were fired by miscreants... the PRO of the superintendent of police suffered a gunshot to the leg, the circle officer was hit by pellets and 15 to 20 security personnel were injured in the violence."
A constable also suffered a serious head injury while the deputy collector fractured his leg.
"Three people, identified as Naeem, Bilal and Nauman, have been killed," Singh said.
Twenty-one people, including two women, have been detained and a probe has been launched, the official had said, adding that those accused in the violence would be booked under the stringent National Security Act (NSA).
District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya said, "The casualty count stands at three. The reason for the deaths of two is clear -- bullet wounds from countrymade pistols. The reason for the death of the third person is not clear but it will be after post-mortem."
Internet services were soon suspended in Sambhal tehsil for 24 hours and the district administration declared a holiday in all schools for Monday.
Tension had been brewing in Sambhal since November 19 when the Jama Masjid was first surveyed on the court's orders following a petition claiming that a Harihar temple had stood at the site.
Trouble started early on Sunday when a large group of people gathered near the mosque and started shouting slogans as the survey team began its work.
District officials said the survey could not be completed on Tuesday and was planned for Sunday to avoid interference with afternoon prayers.
Supreme Court lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain, who is a petitioner in the case, had earlier said the Court of Civil Judge (Senior Division) ordered the constitution of an "advocate commission" to survey the mosque.
The court has said a report should be filed after conducting a videography and photography survey through the commission, he had said.
On Sunday, Jain urged the Archaeological Survey of India to take control of the "temple".
Gopal Sharma, a local lawyer for the Hindu side, had earlier claimed the temple that once stood at the site was demolished by Mughal Emperor Babur in 1529.
