The United Nations’ top court on Friday denied South Africa’s request to increase legal pressure on Israel, urging a halt to a potential offensive against Gaza’s Rafah, stating it was “bound to comply with existing measures.”
Pretoria previously filed a complaint in The Hague’s International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of breaching the Genocide Convention with its assault on Gaza. On January 26, the ICJ ordered Israel to protect Palestinian civilians and allow humanitarian aid.
South Africa filed another request on Tuesday, seeking new measures due to Israel’s preparations for a new operation against Rafah. More than half of Gaza’s 2.4 million population sought shelter there from Israel’s offensive.
The ICJ judges acknowledged recent developments could worsen the humanitarian crisis, citing UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. However, they stated Israel’s immediate action to ensure safety did not require “additional provisional measures.”
Israel must “fully comply with its obligations under the Genocide Convention and with the said Order,” the ICJ ruling reiterated.
Despite the rejection, South Africa welcomed the decision, emphasizing the “perilous situation” in Gaza and urging the immediate implementation of emergency measures ordered on January 26.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesman, Vincent Magwenya, said, “The court has unequivocally explained that compliance with the existing provisional measures requires Israel to ensure the safety and security of all Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.”
Israel’s foreign minister, Israel Katz, pledged coordination with Egypt before any military offensive in Rafah, addressing journalists at the Munich Security Conference.
Fears grew for those who fled Gaza’s north to Rafah as Israeli troops advanced, with Israel planning a major operation. The closed border with Egypt leaves nearly 1.5 million Palestinians essentially trapped in the overcrowded city.
