The International Court of Justice today ruled on South Africa’s demand that Israel take new measures in the Gaza Strip, including withdrawing from the town of Rafah.
On October 7, 2023, Pretoria called for emergency measures following a military offensive on the enclave following attacks by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).
The International Court of Justice (ICJ), a judicial body of the United Nations, announced in a statement that it will issue the decision this Friday at 15:00 in The Hague (14:00 in Lisbon), at the request of South Africa. “Transition and Symptom of Temporal Measures”.
The request was made by South Africa on May 10, after the Israeli offensive against Rafah, which borders Gaza and Egypt, began.
Nawaf Salam, president of the tribunal handling South Africa’s claim against Israel for alleged violations of its obligations under the Genocide Convention – reports the decision.
South Africa, on May 10, argued that previous interim measures required by the court, following its first request, were “unable to fully respond to the changed circumstances and new facts” and “requested additional measures” in light of the attack in Rafah. and a review of the preceding.”
Pretoria said the Israeli authorities had disregarded the ICJ by “ignoring and violating” the provisional measures issued in January and March.
Last week, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein accused Pretoria of acting as an arm of Hamas and “distorting the truth”, reiterating that the army “acts in accordance with international law and humanitarian obligations”.
The offensive against Rafah was launched on April 6, a day after Hamas announced that a proposed deal put forward by Egypt and Qatar was deemed insufficient by Israeli officials.
Israeli military operations on May 7 allowed the army to take control of the Palestinian side of the crossing, suspending the entry of humanitarian aid through the border crossing, prompting international alarm over the worsening crisis in the enclave.
According to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), about 900,000 people fled the city.
Before the start of Israeli operations, approximately 1.4 million people lived in Rafah, most of whom were forcibly displaced from other parts of the enclave due to the conflict.
Israel launched an offensive on Gaza following Hamas attacks that killed 1,200 and kidnapped 240.
According to officials in Hamas-controlled Gaza, Israeli attacks have already killed more than 35,700 Palestinians, and more than 510 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and in settler attacks since October 7. Year.
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