TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, May 26, 2024, announced Indonesia's support for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision which ordered Israel to halt its military operations in Rafah, southern Gaza.

The ICJ panel of judges read out its decision on Friday, May 24. Apart from asking Israel to stop its attacks on Rafah, the judges also ordered Israel to keep the Rafah border open for humanitarian aid and guaranteed access for the investigative body to investigate allegations of genocide in Gaza.

"Indonesia supports the ICJ’s ruling ordering Israel to immediately halt its military offensive in Rafah, & to ensure the unimpeded access to the Gaza Strip of any commission of inquiry, fact-finding mission or other investigative body to investigate the allegation of genocide," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on social media X.

Indonesia also urged Israel to immediately and unconditionally comply with the measures ordered by the ICJ, and "underlines the critical role of the Security Council in ensuring its implementation."

The Indonesian government's steps in supporting the World Court decision follow similar actions from other countries such as South Africa, Australia, Belgium, Jordan, Egypt, Norway, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. Israel began a ground offensive against Rafah earlier this month, forcing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to flee the city.

Rafah, on Gaza's southern edge and bordering Egypt, has been a major route for humanitarian aid. International organizations say Israel's operations have cut off the region, increasing the risk of famine. Israel says Rafah is the last stronghold for thousands of Hamas fighters and senior commanders, and it cannot achieve its war goal of eliminating Hamas without storming Rafah.

An Israeli government spokesperson said ahead of the ICJ decision that “no power on Earth will stop Israel from protecting its citizens and going after Hamas in Gaza”.

NABIILA AZZAHRA A. | REUTERS

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