Israel has defended its military operations in Rafah in southern Gaza and accused South Africa of presenting false claims at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
In the latest case, South Africa has accused Israel of genocidal intentions against Palestinians, and this week asked the ICJ to order the Zionist country to halt its military operation in Rafah and completely withdraw from the Palestinian territory.
South Africa’s legal team said the Israeli military operation was part of a genocidal plan aimed at bringing about the destruction of the Palestinian people.
In response, Israeli lawyers on Friday dismissed these allegations as “grossly distorted,” arguing that the military actions are necessary for combating terrorism and ensuring regional stability.
“The fact remains that the city of Rafah also serves as a military stronghold for Hamas, which continues to pose a significant threat to the state of Israel and its citizens,” Israel’s deputy attorney general Gilad Noam told the court in The Hague.
He accused South Africa of making “a mockery of the heinous charge of genocide”, accusing the country of “adopting a strategy of dragging Israel to court endlessly” and having an “ulterior motive” for urging an Israeli withdrawal from Rafah to obtain “a military advantage for its ally Hamas, which it does not want to see defeated”.
The case at The Hague follows a January accusation by South Africa, claiming Israel committed genocide in Gaza.
South Africa’s latest application also demands that Israel grant “unimpeded access” to Gaza for humanitarian and media personnel.
JN/APA