Israel continues Rafah op despite UN court order to halt offensive

Netanyahu rejects allegations in IC] case, while fresh efforts to secure ceasefire in Gaza war get under way

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Israeli air strikes and artillery pounded Rafah on May 25, despite an order from the United Nations' top court for it to "immediately halt" its military offensive in the southern Gazan city.

At the same time, renewed efforts were getting underway in Paris to secure a ceasefire in the war sparked by Palestinian militant group Hamas' Oct 7 attack on Israel.

In a case brought by South Africa alleging that the Israeli military operation amounts to genocide, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to halt its Rafah offensive and demanded the immediate release of hostages still held by the Palestinian militants.

The Hague-based court, whose orders are legally binding but lack direct enforcement mechanisms, also instructed Israel to keep open the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza, which Israel closed before sending troops and tanks into the besieged city and crossing earlier in May.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office rejected the allegations in the ICJ case as "false, outrageous and morally repugnant".

"Israel is acting based on its right to defend its territory and its citizens, consistent with its moral values and in compliance with international law," it said in a statement.