Lindsay Dentlinger24 January 2024 | 17:49

ICJ to deliver order in SA's request for measures against Israel over Gaza war on Friday

In a statement from the court on Wednesday evening, it said the court president, Judge Joan Donoghue, would read the order in a public sitting at the Peace Palace in The Hague at 2pm South African time.

ICJ to deliver order in SA's request for measures against Israel over Gaza war on Friday

President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), US lawyer Joan Donoghue (2R), confers with colleagues at the court in The Hague on 12 January 2024, prior to the hearing of the genocide case against Israel, brought by South Africa. Picture: Remko de Waal / ANP / AFP

CAPE TOWN - The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will on Friday deliver its order on South Africa’s request for provisional measures against Israel over its war in Gaza. 

In a statement from the court on Wednesday evening, it said the court president, Judge Joan Donoghue, would read the order in a public sitting at the Peace Palace in The Hague at 2pm South African time.

South Africa filed the application in December, arguing that it believes Israel is committing genocide in the Palestinian territory following Hamas' October 7 attacks in southern Israel.

At a two-day court hearing two weeks ago, South Africa asked the bench of 17 judges to consider nine provisional measures to preserve life in Gaza and to allow for more humanitarian aid to enter the area. 

In response, Israel said it was acting in self-defence and that its military operations were not intended to harm civilians but rather to flush out Hamas militants.