JOHANNESBURG, Friday, May 24, 2024 (WAFA) – South Africa Friday evening welcomed the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling that ordered Israel to halt its offensive on Rafah.

"I believe it's a much stronger, in terms of wording, set of provisional measures, very clear call for a cessation," Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor told public broadcaster SABC.

Following South Africa’s plea, the ICJ has ruled in a 13-2 vote that Israel must immediately halt its military offensive and any other action in Rafah and open the Rafah border crossing to allow the entry of humanitarian aid to the blockaded Strip.

The ICJ also ordered Israel to "ensure the unimpeded access of commissions of inquiry or investigative bodies mandated by the UN to investigate allegations of genocide" and report to the court within a month on its progress in implementing the measures.

The ICJ, whose orders are legally binding but lack direct enforcement mechanisms, stopped short of calling for a full ceasefire today.

K.F.