The International Court of Justice also ruled Israel must keep open the key Rafah crossing for unhindered humanitarian aid and urged the unconditional release of hostages taken by Hamas during its October 7 assault.
Israel had argued before the court that an order to stop military activity would give free rein to Hamas extremists and prevent its army from rescuing hostages taken in the group’s brutal October 7 attack.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he would convene senior ministers after the ruling.
South Africa hailed the ruling, with Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor saying it was a much stronger set of provisional measures, very clear call for a cessation.
The ICJ ruling comes hot on the heels of another highly charged decision Monday by the International Criminal Court prosecutor to seek arrest warrants for top Israeli and Hamas leaders.
ICJ Orders Israel To ‘Immediately Halt’ Rafah Offensive
The top United Nations court has ordered Israel to halt military operations in Rafah immediately, a landmark ruling likely to increase mounting international pressure on Israel more than seven months into the Gaza war.
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