January 4, 2024
2 mins read

ICJ to Probe Gaza Genocidal Acts

The development comes after the court confirmed South Africa’s case filed on December 29, 2023….reports Asian Lite News

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) announced that it will hold hearings next week on a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of committing “genocidal” acts” in Gaza amid the raging war with Hamas.

According to The Hague-based ICJ — which is the UN’s principal judicial organ — the hearings will be dedicated to South Africa’s request for “provisional measures” — emergency steps the court can order to preserve the rights of a party, reports CNN.

The development comes after the court confirmed South Africa’s case filed on December 29, 2023, concerning “alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide concerning Palestinians in the Gaza Strip”.

Following its 84-page application to the ICJ, South Africa’s presidency said in a statement that the country was obliged “to prevent genocide from occurring”.

“South Africa is gravely concerned with the plight of civilians caught in the present Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip due to the indiscriminate use of force and forcible removal of inhabitants,” the BBC quoted the statement as saying.

“Furthermore, there are ongoing reports of international crimes, such as crimes against humanity and war crimes, being committed as well as reports that acts meeting the threshold of genocide or related crimes… have been and may still be committed in the context of the ongoing massacres in Gaza.”

On Tuesday, Israel’s National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi told local media that the Jewish nation has decided to appear at The Hague-based court.

“Israel has signed the convention against genocide for decades, and we will certainly not boycott the proceeding, but stand up and repel the absurd blood plot against us,” Hanegbi added.

South Africa is scheduled to present its oral arguments on January 11, with Israel set to do the same the following day.

Immediately after South Africa submitted its application, spokesperson for Israel’s Foreign Ministry Lior Haiat had said that the nation’s claim “constitutes despicable and contemptuous exploitation of the Court”.

He said South Africa was “cooperating with a terrorist organisation that is calling for the destruction of the State of Israel”.

The development comes as South Africa has been highly critical of Israel’s ongoing military operation in Gaza.

In November 2023, it recalled all of its diplomats from Israel.

Israel, in turn, recalled its Ambassador from Pretoria.

In addition, the South African national assembly voted to suspend all diplomatic relations with Israel, but the government is yet to formally responded to the vote.

ALSO READ: UN warns against increasing famine risk in Gaza

Previous Story

Gaza in Dire Need

Next Story

Sunak’s Asylum Backlog Claims Under Investigation by UK Statistics Authority

Latest from -Top News

UAE seeks peace in Gaza

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, on the sidelines of the ongoing 80th session of

Trump–Sharif meeting signals warmer ties

Trump’s White House talks with Sharif and Pakistan’s sabre-rattling UN speech signal revived U.S.–Pakistan ties, strained India relations, and shifting power plays across South Asia’s volatile landscape. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif

Yunus warns of Gaza ‘genocide’, Rohingya crisis

At the UNGA, Bangladesh interim leader Muhammad Yunus decries Gaza “genocide,” warns of Rohingya hunger crisis, and hails people power, as Hasina supporters protest outside in New York. Bangladesh’s interim Chief Adviser

China warns against ‘cold war mentality’

At the UN, China’s Premier Li Qiang warns against a “Cold War mentality,” urging global unity, free trade, and peace through dialogue over tariffs, blocs, and confrontation. Chinese Premier Li Qiang used
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Washington Provides $21M in Additional Aid for Gaza

The US administrator’s announcement for additional aid follows President Joe

Gaza Strip Food Insecurity Hits “Critical” Levels, UN Warns

The number of trucks entering Gaza is significantly fewer than