Israel strikes Rafah after top UN court orders it to halt offensive

Rafah, Palestinian Territories: Israel bombed the Gaza Strip, including Rafah, on Saturday, despite an order from the UN s top court for it to immedi...

Rafah, Palestinian Territories: Israel bombed the Gaza Strip, including Rafah, on Saturday, despite an order from the UN's top court for it to "immediately halt" its military offensive in the southern city.

At the same time, renewed efforts are getting underway in Paris aimed at securing a ceasefire.

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

The Hague-based ICJ, 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 this month.

Israel gave no indication it was preparing to change course in Rafah.