Australia urges Israel to 'abide by' ICJ's ruling on Gaza

ANKARA

A senior Australian minister has urged Israel to "abide by" the International Court of Justice (ICJ) order to halt its military assault on the southern Gaza Strip.

The top UN court on Friday ordered Tel Aviv to immediately cease its military offensive in Rafah and open the crossing between Egypt and Gaza to allow aid into the besieged enclave.

Judges issued the landmark emergency ruling in South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide.

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said Australia’s position on Rafah is “crystal clear,” describing the situation as a “humanitarian disaster,” with the potential to worsen, local broadcaster SBS News reported on Saturday.

The ICJ also ordered Tel Aviv to submit a report on the measures taken on the latest order within a month.

“We have been very consistent that Rafa should not be attacked,” Brown said in Sydney.

“We are very consistent that the binding rulings to the ICJ should be abided by all parties, including Israel. Either you comply with international law or you don’t.

“Australia believes international law should be complied with, Australia believes the binding rulings should be complied with and we believe Rafah should not be invaded by Israel.”

The International Court of Justice, which is based in The Hague, Netherlands, has no power to enforce its orders.

Israel continued its brutal offensive on Gaza despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.

More than 35,800 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, the vast majority being women and children, and nearly 80,300 others injured since October following an attack by Hamas.

More than seven months into the Israeli war, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.