APA-Pretoria (South Africa) The International Court of Justice (ICJ) said Friday that it noted the “perilous” situation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah but turned down South Africa’s request for additional emergency measures to protect rights of Palestinians threatened by an Israeli ground assault in the region.
South Africa had earlier this week made an “urgent request” to the ICJ for the court to consider whether Israel’s decision to extend its military operations in Rafah required that the court use its power to prevent further breaches of the rights of Palestinians in Gaza.
Pretoria wanted the World Court to consider whether Israel’s plan to extend its bloody offensive into the city of Rafah required additional emergency measures to protect Palestinians’ rights.
“The Court notes that the most recent developments in the Gaza Strip, and in Rafah in particular, ‘would exponentially increase what is already a humanitarian nightmare with untold regional consequences’ as stated by the United Nations Secretary-General,” the ICJ said in a statement on Friday.
It added: “This perilous situation demands immediate and effective implementation of the provisional measures indicated by the Court in its Order of 26 January 2024, which are applicable throughout the Gaza Strip, including in Rafah, and does not demand the indication of additional provisional measures.”
It said Israel “remains bound to fully comply with its obligations to the Genocide Convention and with the said Order, including by ensuring the safety and security of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.”
South Africa welcomed the ICJ ruling, with presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya saying Friday that Pretoria “will continue to use existing channels such as the United Nations Security Council to ensure full and effective implementation of the existing provisional measures.”
JN/APA