THE HAGUE: South Africa urged the top UN court to force an end to Israel’s attack on Rafah on Thursday, accusing Israel of intensifying what it called a “genocide” in Gaza.
Vusimuzi Madonsela informed the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that “South Africa had hoped, when we last appeared before this court, to halt this genocidal process to preserve Palestine and its people.”
“Instead, the genocide in Israel has accelerated and recently reached a new, horrifying level,” he stated.
In an effort to persuade judges to impose a ceasefire across Gaza, South Africa was launching off two days of hearings at the International Court of Justice’s Peace Palace in The Hague.
Israel will reply on Friday. It has previously emphasized its “unwavering” dedication to respecting international law and denounced South Africa’s argument as “morally repugnant” and “wholly unfounded.”
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) mandated in January that Israel take all necessary steps to stop crimes of genocide and allow humanitarian aid to reach Gaza, a decision that garnered international attention.
However, the court refrained from imposing a ceasefire, and South Africa maintains that further ICJ intervention is necessary due to the current circumstances, particularly the operation in the densely populated city of Rafah.
