900,000 displaced as Israel attacks Rafah amid UN ICJ order
by Lian Gabrielle Inlong
As of May 29, nearly a million Palestinians were forced to flee in the southern city of Gaza following Israel’s bombing of Rafah despite United Nations (UN) and International Court of Justice (ICJ)’s orders to halt their invasion of the Gaza Strip.
ICJ ordered Israel to stop its military offense against Rafah last May 24 and was backed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. However, Israel refused as Rafah and Deir al-Balah were targeted by their warplanes a day after the orders were made.
UN Secretary-General Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Guterres recalled that decisions from the ICJ are binding and that he believed that Israel would duly comply with the orders from the ICJ.
Guterres added that the secretary-general would properly submit the notice for the provisional measures addressed to the Security Council.
“Whether or not the decisions of the court are implemented or not implemented, what is next for us is continuing every effort to deliver more humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza,” Dujarric said.
Notably, multiple fatalities and casualties were reported as Israel targeted refugee camps and areas near hospitals in Rafah. The Kuwaiti Hospital, the lone hospital in Rafah capable of catering to patients, called for fuel deliveries to ensure that operations keep running for those in need.
Before Israel’s attack on Rafah last May 6, an estimated 1.4 million Palestinians sought refuge in Rafah to avoid military aggression. However, as Israel relentlessly attacks refugee camps, schools, and hospitals, Palestinians continue to be displaced.
Since October 7, Israel’s targeted genocide against Palestine has killed over 36,000 people with the majority being women and children, while 81,000 others were injured. The numbers are set to increase ceaselessly as Israel continues to target refugee camps with the aim of taking the lives of the innocent.
