Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
The International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to immediately halt its military offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah and to open up the crossing with Egypt to allow for the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.
Israel is unlikely to comply with the order from the UN's highest court, which has no way of enforcing it, but the decision puts Israel at risk of further isolation as it continues its war in Gaza.
Here's a look at some of the reaction to the order:
Hamas
Hamas, which triggered the war by launching an attack on Israeli communities on October 7, hailed the UN top court's ruling but criticised its decision to exclude the rest of war-torn Gaza from the order.
The Palestinian militant group “welcomes the decision of the International Court of Justice”, it said in a statement, adding however that it expected the ICJ ruling to “put an end to the aggression and genocide against our people throughout the Gaza Strip, and not just in Rafah”.
“What is happening in Jabalia and other parts of this (northern) sector is no less criminal and dangerous than what's happening in Rafah,” it said.
Israeli opposition
Israel's opposition leader Yair Lapid slammed the ICJ’s ruling.
“Israel is the one who was brutally attacked and forced to defend itself against a terrible terrorist organisation that slaughters children, rapes women and fires rockets at civilians,” Mr Lapid said.
He also partly blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for allowing the ICJ declaration to happen, by failing to rein in the extremist, ultra-right wing voices in his government.
“A sane and professional government would have prevented insane ministers from expressing themselves publicly, would have arrested criminals who set fire to aid convoys, and conducted diplomatic endeavours quietly and efficiently,” he added.
Palestinian Authority
The Palestinian Authority welcomed the ICJ's ruling
“The presidency welcomes the decision issued by the International Court of Justice, which represents an international consensus on the demand to stop the all-out war on Gaza,” Palestinian presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh said.
EU's Josep Borrell
Josep Borrell, the EU's top diplomat said: “What is going to be the EU's answer to the ruling of the International Court of Justice that has been issued today, what is going to be our position?
“We will have to choose between our support to international institutions of the rule of law or our support to Israel.”
Dissenting voices
In Friday's 13-2 ICJ ruling, the only dissenters were Israeli-appointed judge Aharon Barak and Uganda's Julia Sebutinde.
Judge Barak said the ICJ should not have bowed to “great pressure” to intervene, while Judge Sebutinde called the order an “overreach by the court”.
German judge Georg Nolte sided with the majority “only after considerable hesitation” and said the court “must be careful not to overstep the limits of what it can and should do”.
However, he said he ultimately agreed that the “extraordinarily dramatic humanitarian situation” in Rafah required the court to go beyond vaguer instructions to Israel issued in January and March.
US quiet
The US has been a staunch supporter of Israel as it has conducted its offensive in Gaza, but has repeatedly called for Israel to show restraint in Rafah and to come up with a credible plan to protect civilians.
The White House did not directly comment on the ICJ ruling and instead said that it has been "clear and consistent" in its position regarding Rafah in its statement to news organisations.
Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator, described the ICJ ruling as “ridiculous”.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Ford Mustang GT
Price, base / as tested: Dh204,750 / Dh241,500
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
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Fuel economy, combined: 10.3L / 100km
'Manmarziyaan' (Colour Yellow Productions, Phantom Films)
Director: Anurag Kashyap
Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal
Rating: 3.5/5
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
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Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
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In Full Flight: A Story of Africa and Atonement
John Heminway, Knopff
The biog
Favourite Emirati dish: Fish machboos
Favourite spice: Cumin
Family: mother, three sisters, three brothers and a two-year-old daughter
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THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
JAPAN SQUAD
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Director: Amar Kaushik
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Rating: 3.5
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
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LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday
Granada v Real Betis (9.30pm)
Valencia v Levante (midnight)
Saturday
Espanyol v Alaves (4pm)
Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7pm)
Leganes v Real Valladolid (9.30pm)
Mallorca v Barcelona (midnight)
Sunday
Atletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (4pm)
Real Madrid v Eibar (9.30pm)
Real Sociedad v Osasuna (midnight)
