ICJ Expected to Demand Halt to Israeli Military Actions in Gaza

By Yoni Weiss

Israeli officials anticipate that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague will issue orders as early as Friday to halt the ongoing war against Hamas terrorists in Gaza, according to a senior diplomatic source.

An Israeli diplomatic source informed Yisrael Hayom that legal experts assessed a high probability of the court ruling to issue injunctions following a petition filed by South Africa against Israel’s military actions. The court is set to convene on Thursday, although it lacks binding authority.

The source outlined two potential scenarios: the court could order a cessation of Israeli operations in Rafah in southern Gaza, or it might seek to halt the broader war in Gaza entirely through court injunctions.

Orders to halt the war represent the most severe scenario Israel has feared since the initial Hague hearings in January. Such orders could significantly impede Israel’s ability to continue its military mission in Gaza, although Israel has repeatedly emphasized that it is not bound by the court’s rulings. A significant concern is that injunctions from The Hague could lead to a similar resolution by the U.N. Security Council, requiring a United States veto to block it. Israeli officials are preparing for that possibility in the coming days.

The International Court of Justice, which is hearing the case against Israel brought by South Africa, is separate from the International Criminal Court (ICC). Earlier this week, ICC prosecutor Karim Khan submitted requests to arrest Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes, even though the arguments against Israel were deemed unfounded. However, the ICJ does not have the authority to issue arrest warrants.