ICJ to rule on South Africa’s request to stop Israeli attacks on Gaza

The International Court of Justice will rule on South Africa’s provisional applications on Friday in the case accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.

Friday’s ruling will not stop at whether or not Israel has committed genocide in Gaza: that ruling is expected to take years. Instead, the court will rule on South Africa’s nine interim requests, including that Israel stop its military operations in Gaza and that Israel should allow unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza.

A press release from the court said a public hearing will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the Peace Palace in The Hague, during which Judge Joan Donoghue, president of the Court, will read the court’s order.

On 29 December 2023, South Africa filed a request to initiate proceedings against Israel for alleged violations of its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in relation to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

He accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza since its invasion following the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas militants.

Both countries presented their arguments before the ICJ on January 10 and 11, where South Africa’s lawyers said that Israel and its agencies intend to eliminate entire families in Gaza.

READ ALSO: Gaza: UN chief calls again for immediate ceasefire, says destruction is unprecedented

In response to South Africa, Israel said it was acting in self-defense and blamed Hamas for the woes of the people of the Gaza Strip.

South Africa also asked the court to approve provisional measures to protect against further, serious and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people under the Genocide Convention.