New Delhi: The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the United Nations’ top court, has declared the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories illegal, calling for an immediate end to the decades-long presence. In a landmark ruling on Friday, a panel of 15 judges determined that Israel has abused its power and position, making its occupation of Palestinian land, including East Jerusalem, illegal.
The decision followed a meeting of advisers convened by the ICJ at the request of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The UNGA sought legal clarity on Israel’s policies regarding its occupation of Palestinian territories. ICJ President and Judge Nawaf Salam stated, “According to the court, Israel’s presence in the Palestinian territories is completely illegal and should be ended as soon as possible.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded swiftly to the ICJ’s ruling, dismissing it as a false decision. In a statement, Netanyahu asserted, “The Jews are not occupying their land, nor are they trying to capture the capital Jerusalem or other areas. No decision of falsehood in The Hague can deny the truth and the legitimacy of Israeli settlements is not disputed.”
On the same day, Netanyahu made a surprise visit to the Rafah crossing in Gaza, where he vowed to maintain Israeli control over the Gaza-Egyptian border. “Israel will continue to control the Rafah crossing even after the ceasefire agreement is reached,” he said. Netanyahu also reportedly denied any plans to relinquish the Philadelphia Corridor, a border area between Gaza and Egypt.
The ICJ’s ruling is expected to intensify the international debate over Israel’s presence in Palestinian territories and its broader implications for Middle East peace efforts. While the UNGA and ICJ have made their positions clear, the Israeli government’s rejection of the ruling signals ongoing contention and complexity in resolving the long-standing conflict.
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