The International Court of Justice has affirmed its power to ensure the respect of rights regarding the interim measures in the Gaza Strip, as reported by Cairo News in a breaking news alert.
During the session considering the lawsuit filed by South Africa against the Israeli occupying state regarding the genocide committed by the occupying forces against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the court added that it does not accept Israel’s request to withdraw the lawsuit filed against it by South Africa.
Amnesty International highlighted the importance of this decision, emphasizing the need for an immediate ceasefire by all parties to implement the provisional measures effectively and end unprecedented civilian suffering. The ICJ’s ruling included orders for Israel to refrain from acts under the Genocide Convention, prevent and punish the incitement to genocide, and take immediate and effective measures to ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza .
The background to this case began on December 29, 2023, when South Africa filed a lawsuit against Israel at the ICJ under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, following allegations of genocide against the Palestinian people in the wake of attacks by Hamas and other armed groups, which resulted in nearly 1,200 civilian deaths in Israel. South Africa’s 84-page filing accused Israel of committing acts with the specific intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as part of the broader Palestinian national, racial, and ethnic group. The ICJ, as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, has the authority to settle legal disputes submitted by States, including those related to the Genocide Convention .
Several countries and international organizations have shown support for South Africa’s case against Israel. The Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC), Malaysia, Turkey, Jordan, Bolivia, the Maldives, Namibia, Pakistan, the Arab League, Colombia, and Brazil, among others, have voiced their backing for the lawsuit. These countries and groups have reiterated calls for an independent Palestinian state and emphasized the importance of the ICJ’s role in upholding international law and addressing allegations of genocide .
The hearings for South Africa’s request for provisional measures took place in The Hague on January 11 and 12, 2024, marking the beginning of the legal proceedings in this significant case. The court’s decision on provisional measures, which are aimed at preventing further harm before the main case is heard, reflects the urgency and gravity of the allegations made by South Africa against Israel.
