ICJ (The International Court of Justice) has refused the request from South Africa to order Israel to ensure to protection of the Palestinians in Gaza from the anticipated attack on Rafah, a city located near the Egyptian border.
South Africa had brought Israel to the ICJ for violating the Genocide Convention by the Israeli military massacre in Gaza and had also asked the court to impose sanctions on Israel as it prepared for a fresh major operation in Rafah.
The court, nevertheless, ruled that Israel was already bound to comply with its prior directive issued on January 26. This directive urged Israel to protect Palestinian civilians and facilitate the entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza.
The UN chief quoted the ICJ’s observation that the situation in Gaza was a “humanitarian nightmare” with potential “untold regional consequences”.
South Africa conveyed its dissatisfaction with the court ruling, while also restating its call for Israel to adhere to the current protocols and guarantee the well-being and protection of all Palestinians in Gaza.
Israel said that it would be in touch with Egypt before initiating any operation in Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of innocent Palestinians have taken refuge from the deadly attacks from Israel.
Since the start, Israel has killed nearly 29,000 innocent Palestinians and wounded more than 100,000.
