Benjamin netanyuahu about the situation in gaza. In a statement the white house said that the president reaffirmed his ironclad commitment to israels security. It referenced what it said was a successful defence against irans unprecedented missile and drone attack earlier this month. The two leaders reviewed ongoing talks to secure the release of hostages together with an immediate ceasefire in gaza. And they also discussed increases in the delivery of humanitarian assistance into gaza through preparations to open new northern crossings, starting this week. The statement concludes that the leaders discussed rafah and the president reiterated his clear position although it didnt give details of what that is. In the last few hours its also been announced that us secretary of state, Antony Blinken Will Visitjordan and israel after a stop at World Economic forum summit in riyadh. Our North America Correspondent Will Vernon is in washington with more details on the Biden Netanyahu phone c
Joan donoghue, welcome to hardtalk. Happy to be here. You sat on the International Court ofjustice for pretty much 14 years. The last three years as president of the court. One of your last cases was the case brought by south africa against israel on the basis of genocide in gaza. Were you aware of the scale of International Scrutiny on that particular case . Yes, absolutely. It was very clear. And in particular, or, for example, outside of the peace palace, where the court sits, there were two groups of demonstrators, or interested people, and one of them had a Big Jumbotron Set Up Outside so that the participants there could watch what was going on inside. And we were aware of people Around The World watching the delivery of the order. Do you feel the pressure in that situation . I wouldnt say that i felt pressure but i felt that the delivery of the order itself would be something that would matter, including in the way i delivered it to regular people, notjust to International Law e
There was a plausible case to answer, but a finaljudgment is likely to take years. Today i have an exclusive interview with joan donoghue, Thejust Retired president of the icj, who delivered that initial court ruling that sent shock waves Around The World. In a sense, the whole idea of internationaljustice is on trial. How will it fare . Joan donoghue, welcome to hardtalk. Happy to be here. You sat on the International Court ofjustice for pretty much iii years. The last three years as president of the court. One of your last cases was the case brought by south africa against israel on the basis of genocide in gaza. Were you aware of the scale of International Scrutiny on that particular case . Yes, absolutely. It was very clear. And in particular, or, for example, outside of the peace palace, where the court sits, there were two groups of demonstrators, or interested people, and one of them had a Big Jumbotron Set Up Outside so that the participants there could watch what was going on
Battalions remaining in rafah. However, aid groups and western allies have warned israel not to carry out a full scale attack. In rafah, more than a million displaced people are taking shelter. As part of its invasion, israel is planning to evacuate civilians out of rafah. Satellite imagery shows tents popping up around khan younis, north of rafa h. An israeli official told reuters that the country has purchased 40,000 tents, each with the capacity for 10 to 12 people, meant to House Palestinians evacuated from rafah. The bbc s wyre davies has more on israels plans. This we got a very clear indication from an Israeli Government spokesperson to day that israel is moving ahead and planning for what is expected to be a pretty full scale Military Incursion into rafah, which is the city in Southern Gaza with israel says the remnants or significant remnants or significant remnants of hamas fighters and leadership are still based. Israel says it has destroyed i9 israel says it has destroyed 1
How will it fare . Joan donoghue, welcome to hardtalk. Happy to be here. You sat on the International Court ofjustice for pretty much 14 years. The last three years as president of the court. One of your last cases was the case brought by south africa against israel on the basis of genocide in gaza. Were you aware of the scale of International Scrutiny on that particular case . Yes, absolutely. It was very clear. And in particular, or, for example, outside of the peace palace, where the court sits, there were two groups of demonstrators, or interested people, and one of them had a Big Jumbotron Set Up Outside so that the participants there could watch what was going on inside. And we were aware of people Around The World watching the delivery of the order. Do you feel the pressure in that situation . I wouldnt say that i felt pressure but i felt that the delivery of the order itself would be something that would matter, including in the way i delivered it to regular people, notjust to