UK says UN court order against Israel will strengthen Hamas

The British government criticized the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for ordering Israel to immediately end its military offensive on the southern Gaza town of Rafah, a decision it said would strengthen the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.

The court, the UN’s highest body that hears disputes between states, made an emergency decision on Friday in South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide.

“There is no pause in the fighting because of Hamas’ rejection of Israel’s generous deal on hostages. Intervention by these courts — including the ICJ — will reinforce Hamas’ view that it can hold hostages and remain in Gaza,” a UK Foreign Office spokesman said on Friday night. “If that happens there will be no peace or two-state solution.”

The ICJ has no way of enforcing its orders, but the decision highlights Israel’s global isolation due to its military campaign in Gaza, which began after a Hamas attack in southern Israel on October 7.