Spain demands Israel abide by ICJ ruling and halt Rafah op

The Spanish government demands that Israel comply with an order by the top UN court to immediately stop its bombardment and ground assault on the Gazan city of Rafah.

It stresses that the ruling on Friday by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) was legally binding.

“The precautionary measures set out by the ICJ, including that Israel should cease its military offensive in Rafah, are compulsory. Israel must comply with them,” Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares writes on X.

“The same goes for a ceasefire, the release of the hostages and access for humanitarian aid [to Gaza],” he says.

“The suffering of the people of Gaza and the violence must end.”

Spain is one of the European countries to have been most critical of Israel over the war against Hamas.

On Wednesday, Spain, Ireland and Norway said their governments would recognize a Palestinian state from next week.

Israel summoned their envoys to “reprimand” them for the decision and on Friday said it would ban Spain’s consulate in Jerusalem from helping Palestinians in the West Bank.

Las medidas cautelares de @CIJ_ICJ, incluido el cese de la ofensiva de Israel en Rafah, son obligatorias. Exigimos su aplicación.

También el alto el fuego, la liberación de los rehenes y el acceso humanitario.
El sufrimiento de los gazatíes y la violencia deben terminar.

— José Manuel Albares (@jmalbares) May 25, 2024

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.