ICJ declines S Africa's request for additional emergency measures on Rafah
Israel had called on ICJ to reject South Africa's request, claiming it does not "have any basis in fact or law"
February 17, 2024
- UN court urges implementation of Gaza measures ordered in Jan.
- South Africa requested ICJ to assess need for additional measures.
- Israel's retalitaory attacks in Gaza kills over 28,000 Palestinians.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday announced that it does not see the need for additional emergency measures to protect Palestinians' rights following Israel's Rafah offensive, as per South Africa's request, Al Jazeera reported.
“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.
The court noted the "perilous situation" in the Gaza Strip and the situation in Rafah “demands immediate and effective implementation of the provisional measures indicated by the Court in its Order of 26 January 2024”.
The court was referring to its orders for Israel to take all steps within its power to ensure genocidal acts are not being committed in its war on Gaza.
However, the court "does not demand the indication of additional provisional measures", its statement added.
The decision comes after South Africa asked the World Court to consider whether Israel's plan to extend its offensive in Gaza into the city of Rafah requires additional emergency measures to protect Palestinians' rights earlier this month.
Israel on Thursday called on the court to reject the request, saying: "South Africa's unjustifiable claims make clear that its request is not driven by any change in circumstances, nor does it have any basis in fact or law."
The cross-border attack by Hamas-led gunmen from the Gaza Strip killed around 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies.
Israel's own response, a relentless bombardment and ground invasion of Gaza that has killed more than 28,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, has drawn bitter criticism of Israel around the world and prompted calls for restraint even from its closest ally, the United States.
