South Africa has petitioned the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to take emergency action as Israel plans an offensive on a Gazan city sheltering about two-thirds of Palestinians living in the Strip. Tel Aviv and Washington have rebuked the court for finding that Israel was potentially committing genocide in Gaza.
“The South African Government has made an urgent request to the ICJ to consider whether the decision announced by Israel to extend its military operations in Rafah, which is the last refuge for surviving people in Gaza, requires that the court uses its power to prevent further imminent breach of the rights of Palestinians in Gaza,” a statement from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office said.
Last month, the ICJ ruled in favor of South Africa in its genocide charges against Israel. The court ruled that Israel was plausibly committing genocide in Gaza, and the killing was fueled by statements made by Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Over the past four months, Israel’s onslaught has rapidly destroyed the Gaza Strip, working from north to south. Tel Aviv’s forces have pushed at least 1.5 million Palestinians into the border city Rafah, the city was home to 250,000 people pre-conflict. Many of the internally displaced Palestinians living in Rafah are sheltering in tents and lack access to food and water.
Israel’s massive bombing campaign in Gaza has killed at least 28,000 people, including over 12,000 children. Thousands more are missing and likely already dead under the rubble. About half of all buildings in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed.
Tel Aviv’s ruthless assault has destroyed the infrastructure that is necessary to support life. A lack of clean water has caused the disease to spread. Israel has choked aid deliveries into Gaza, creating widespread starvation. Tel Aviv is preventing US-funded flour from entering the besieged enclave.
The Strip’s medical facilities have been decimated. The largest functioning medical facility still operating in Gaza, Nasser Hospital, was given an evacuation order on Tuesday. The hospital is treating hundreds of patients and providing shelter to thousands of displaced Palestinians. Doctors report that even people who followed the evacuation order were shot and killed by Israel.
