South Africa Calls on International Court of Justice to Tighten Measures Against Israel
Pretoria asserts that the situation resulting from the Israeli attack on Rafah leads to new developments causing irreparable damage
South Africa requested today, Friday, that the International Court of Justice impose new emergency measures against Israel due to the situation in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza Strip, according to a statement from the Court.
This marks the third time Pretoria has requested additional action from the highest court in the United Nations, after seeking its intervention at the end of December, accusing Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza, a claim vehemently denied by the Israeli state.
According to a statement from the Court, Pretoria stated that the situation “resulting from the Israeli attack on Rafah” leads to “new developments causing irreparable damage to the Palestinian people in Gaza.”
Pretoria specifically asked the Court to urge Israel to ensure “its immediate withdrawal and cessation of its military attack in the Rafah area and to immediately take all effective measures to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza without hindrance.”
In January, the International Court of Justice called on Israel to avoid any actions leading to genocide and to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
A few weeks later, South Africa once again requested the Court to impose new emergency measures on Israel. In the same month, the Court ordered Israel to ensure the delivery of “urgent humanitarian assistance” to Gaza, amid a “spreading famine” in the besieged territory.
On Monday morning, Tel Aviv announced the start of a military operation in Rafah, claiming it was “limited in scope,” and issued warnings for the forced evacuation of 100,000 Palestinians from the eastern part of the city. Tuesday morning, the Israeli army declared control over the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, which connects the Gaza Strip to Egypt.
The Israeli war on Gaza, which began on October 7, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and injuries among Palestinians, most of whom were children and women, as well as around 10,000 missing persons, amidst massive destruction and famine that has claimed the lives of children and the elderly.
Israel continues the war despite a resolution from the United Nations Security Council demanding an immediate cessation of hostilities, as well as despite a request from the International Court of Justice for immediate measures to prevent acts of “genocide” and improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
