SA again approaches ICJ for urgent order to protect Gaza from Israel attacks
South Africa is requesting that the ICJ orders Israel to withdraw its military operations from Rafah.
Smoke billows from Israeli strikes in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on 9 May 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Picture: AFP
JOHANNESBURG - South Africa has once again approached the International Court of Justice (ICJ) asking for an urgent order to protect the people of Gaza from Israel's attacks.
The Office of the Presidency said this followed escalated assaults by Israel on Rafah, which poses a risk to humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Conflict between Israel and Hamas intensified last year after the militant group launched a surprise attack on Israel.
South Africa is requesting that the ICJ orders Israel to withdraw its military operations from Rafah.
This is the third time the country has approached the international court since January over Israel's attacks on Palestine.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya: "President Ramaphosa calls on the international community, including the allies of the State of Israel, not to turn a blind eye to the ongoing genocide in Gaza. The gross human rights violations perpetuated by Israel have scaled to incomprehensible levels of cruelty, hate and extreme violent oppression.
South Africa has returned to the ICJ to seek an urgent order for the protection of Palestinian people in Gaza from grave and irreparable violations of their rights under the Genocide Convention, as a result of Israel’s ongoing military assault on Rafah. https://t.co/zRDN57Kjfx
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) May 11, 2024