ICJ to rule on SA bid to halt Israeli military operations in Rafah
South Africa delivered oral arguments before the court in The Hague last week, appealing with the court to modify the provisional measures it issued in January and March.
This general view shows the logo of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) 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 afternoon deliver its order in which South Africa is asking it to put a stop to Israel's military operations in Rafah in southern Gaza.
South Africa delivered oral arguments before the court in The Hague last week, appealing with the court to modify the provisional measures it issued in January and March.
In response, Israel said South Africa had presented the court with a distorted picture of the situation on the ground and has made a mockery of the crime of genocide.
Friday’s order from the ICJ comes on the back of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday applying for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defence minister, Yoav Gallant, as well as three of Hamas’ top leaders, for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The ICJ president, Nawaf Salam, will read the order in a public sitting.
This is the fourth time South Africa has approached the court since the seven-month conflict in Gaza began.
In March, the court ordered additional measures to protect Palestinian lives as the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsens.
On the bench on Friday will be South African judge, Dire Tladi, who joined the court permanently in February.
Israeli judge, Aharon Barak, has been part of the bench in an ad hoc capacity since South Africa launched its genocide case against Israel in December.
Israel has accused South Africa of abusing court processes by repeatedly approaching the ICJ to order stricter measures in Gaza.