South Africa has filed a genocide lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. The judges have now decided on how to proceed.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) does not dismiss the case alleging genocide against Israel. The judges in The Hague decided this on Friday. The Court recognizes the right of the Palestinians to be protected from genocide. In this respect, South Africa’s lawsuit against Israel is plausible. The ICJ also expressed deep concern about the continued loss of life in the Gaza Strip. The judges therefore called on Israel to take immediate measures to protect the people in the Gaza Strip from genocide and to enable humanitarian aid. However, the court does not order an end to Israel’s military operations.
A final judgment by the ICJ on whether Israel is actually committing “genocide” against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip or not will not be made in The Hague for the time being. This decision on the main issue could take years.
At the end of December, South Africa filed a lawsuit against Israel alleging genocide against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and called for an immediate stop to Israeli attacks on the narrow coastal strip. As a court of the United Nations (UN), the ICJ decides on disputes between states. His sentences are primarily symbolic, as they are difficult to enforce. The ICJ had also called on Russia to end its war of aggression in Ukraine.
Baerbock calls for more consideration for civilians in Gaza
International pressure is now growing on Israel to show more consideration for the civilian population in the military operation against the Islamist Hamas. Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) urged Israel to show restraint, while France condemned the shelling of a UN refugee shelter in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, Israel and Hamas reported fighting on Friday in the southern city of Khan Yunis.
Federal Foreign Minister Baerbock explained that “there are also rules when it comes to the right to self-defense and international humanitarian law also applies to the fight against terrorists.” Israel must adhere to these rules “even in a difficult environment in which Hamas breaks all the rules and abuses people as protective shields.”
“Israel must urgently allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza and adapt its operations,” demanded Baerbock. “Many hundreds of thousands of people have sought protection in the south of Gaza on Israeli instructions,” argued the Foreign Minister. “They can’t just disappear into thin air.”
She repeated her call for a “humanitarian ceasefire – also so that all hostages are finally released.” Baerbock also expressed “extreme concern about the desperate situation of the people in Chan Junis.”
Israel rejects allegations of genocide
France called on Israel to abide by “international humanitarian law.” The Foreign Ministry in Paris “condemned” the shelling of a UN refugee shelter in Khan Yunis, in which, according to the UN, 13 people were killed on Wednesday. According to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the building was hit by two tank missiles.
At the hearing in the Peace Palace in The Hague about two weeks ago, Israel’s representative firmly rejected the allegations. “Israel is at war with (the Islamist organization) Hamas, but not with the Palestinian people,” Israeli Foreign Ministry legal advisor Tal Becker said. Israel also rejected calls for an end to the military operation. The reason given was that this would deprive the country of its right to self-defense. The USA and the federal government also consider the lawsuit to be unfounded.
Tense situation in Khan Yunis
As far as is known, only the Israeli armed forces use tanks in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army said it was carefully reviewing its military operations in the area at the time in question. The possibility that the shelling could have been carried out by Hamas is also being examined.
Khan Yunis – the largest city in the south of the Gaza Strip and hometown of Hamas leader Jahja Sinwar, who is considered the mastermind of Hamas’s major attack on Israel in October – is currently the Israeli army’s main target. According to them, many high-ranking Hamas members are hiding there.
Thousands of people have fled Khan Yunis to seek shelter in Rafah on the border with Egypt. A “sea of people” were forced to flee from Khan Yunis to the border, said UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini. He spoke of an “endless search” by the people of the Gaza Strip for safety.
The Israeli army said several Palestinian militants were killed in “hand-to-hand combat” in Khan Yunis and weapons were confiscated. She also stated that another soldier had been killed in the Gaza Strip. This brings the total number of deaths since ground operations began at the end of October to 220.
Hamas spoke of heavy fighting in the center and west of Khan Yunis. The Islamist Palestinian organization said 183 people were killed in the entire Gaza Strip within 24 hours.
Mediators are trying to reach a ceasefire
The war in the Gaza Strip was triggered by Hamas’ unprecedented major attack on Israel on October 7th. On October 7th, hundreds of fighters from the Palestinian organization, which the USA and the EU have classified as a terrorist organization, entered Israel from the Gaza Strip and committed atrocities mainly against civilians. According to Israeli information, around 1,140 people were killed and around 240 people were taken hostage in the Gaza Strip.
In response to the attack, Israel launched a massive military operation in the Gaza Strip. According to Hamas figures, which cannot be independently verified, more than 26,000 people have been killed in the Palestinian territory since the offensive began.
The mediators Qatar, Egypt and the USA are currently trying to reach a new ceasefire. According to US media reports, CIA chief William Burns will travel to Europe to negotiate a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of Israeli hostages with representatives of Israel, Egypt and Qatar.
At the end of November, 105 hostages and 240 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel were released as part of a week-long humanitarian ceasefire.
The post has been updated.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
