Israel urges UN court to reject South Africa’s appeal for additional provisional measures in Gaza

By Abdelraouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) – Israel urged the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Thursday to reject an urgent request filed by South Africa for additional provisional measures to prevent a “catastrophic famine” and “genocide” in the Gaza Strip.

"South Africa continues to act as the legal arm of Hamas in an attempt to undermine Israel's inherent right to defend itself and its citizens, and to release all of the hostages," the Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry termed South Africa’s appeals to the World Court as “another cynical exploitation” of the Hague-based court.

“We call on the court to unequivocally reject the new request submitted by Hamas representatives,” it added, in reference to South Africa.

Israel has continued a deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip, now in its 153rd day, following an Oct. 7 attack by the Palestinian group Hamas, which Tel Aviv said killed nearly 1,200 people.

At least 30,800 Palestinians have since been killed and nearly 73,000 others injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities.

Israel has also imposed a crippling blockade on the Gaza Strip, leaving its population, particularly residents of northern Gaza, on the verge of starvation.

About 85% of Gazans have been displaced by the Israeli onslaught amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

In an interim ruling in January, the ICJ ordered Israel to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala