In an exclusive interview with Japan’s national broadcaster NHK, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his deep concern over the IDF military operation in Gaza, condemning the level of destruction as “absolutely unacceptable.” He underscored the importance of adhering to international law and humanitarian law, emphasizing that decisions made by the International Court of Justice must be respected. Compliance with these decisions is not optional but mandatory, he stressed.
On May 24th, the International Court of Justice ruled in favor of South Africa’s claim for an injunction to cease military operations in Rafah. The court demanded an immediate halt to military action in the region, citing potential negative impacts on civilians. Israel was instructed to open the Rafah crossing and allow access to Gaza for representatives of any investigative body chosen by the United Nations. The court required Israel to report on measures taken within one month.
The lawsuit filed by South Africa accused Israel of causing “irreparable damage” by controlling border crossings and threatening humanitarian aid’s flow into Gaza. Israel denied these accusations, stating that military operations in Rafah target Hamas militants with precision and do not impose restrictions on humanitarian aid. The conflict between the accusations and denials highlights the complexity of the situation in Gaza and underlines the need for international cooperation to address this humanitarian crisis.
