Israeli officials fear ICJ will rule to halt Gaza fighting, brace for sanctions ( www.haaretz.com )
Senior Israeli officials voiced concern Thursday over the tougher stance that the International Court of Justice may take in its ruling, to be announced Friday afternoon, against Israel's military offensive in Gaza.
The main concern in Israel is that the court – which a few months ago compelled Israel to increase humanitarian aid entering Gaza but did not issue an order to stop the war in the Strip – may take a more hardline position this time against Israel, potentially exposing it to international sanctions.
Last week, the top UN court held two days of hearings into a request from South Africa to make sure Israel halts its military operation in the southern Gazan city of Rafah. The ICJ announced on Thursday that it will publish its decision regarding the South African requests on Friday at 4:00 P.M. Israel standard time.
South Africa requested that the court order a cessation of the war, citing Israel's alleged indiscriminate killing and lack of distinction of Palestinians in Gaza, leading to a humanitarian crisis and famine in the area.
