JOHANNESBURG: South Africa has welcomed the stronger verdict of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) calling on Israel to cease its all-out war on Gaza.
“This is a much stronger set of provisional measures with very clear wording calling for a cessation,” said South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, urging UN member states to support the decision.
South Africa’s case before the ICJ accused Israel’s military operation in Gaza of constituting “genocide.” While the court deliberates on the case, it issued preliminary measures instructing Israel to prevent acts of genocide during its campaign against Hamas.
Despite the ruling, Israel continued its operation, notably targeting the densely populated city of Rafah. South Africa petitioned for further interim orders, leading to Friday’s ruling.
Pandor expressed satisfaction with the court’s response, asserting that their case grows stronger each day and highlighting the ongoing alleged genocide. However, she cautioned that Israel is unlikely to comply with the order, emphasizing the need for UN members and the Security Council to enforce international law.
Acknowledging the fear and horror of the situation, Pandor stressed the importance of collective action, stating, “We cannot just rely on those who are the executioners of this ongoing onslaught to be the ones to stop it.”
The Gaza conflict erupted following an attack by Hamas on October 7, resulting in numerous civilian casualties. Hamas welcomed the ICJ’s ruling regarding the Rafah offensive but criticized its exclusion of the broader Gaza Strip, calling for an end to aggression against all Palestinians in the region.
Hamas Hails ICJ Ruling
Hamas praised the ICJ’s ruling that urged Israel to halt military operations in any area of Gaza.
“We welcome the decision by the world court that calls on the Zionist occupation forces to end their military aggression on Rafah. However, we believe it is not enough, as the occupation’s aggression across the Gaza Strip, especially in northern Gaza, is just as brutal and dangerous,” said Hamas official Basem Naim.
He called on the UN Security Council to immediately implement the ICJ’s demand, compelling Israel to comply with the decision.
“We welcome the court’s request to allow investigation committees to reach the Gaza Strip to investigate acts of war and genocide against the Palestinian people. Hamas pledges to cooperate with these investigation committees,” he concluded.
