https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240525/south-african-president-calls-on-israel-to-uphold-un-court-resolutions-on-operation-in-gazas-rafah-1066732071.html
South African President Calls on Israel to Uphold UN Court Resolutions on Operation in Gaza's Rafah
South African President Calls on Israel to Uphold UN Court Resolutions on Operation in Gaza's Rafah
Sputnik Africa
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a verdict on South Africa's appeal against Israel's operation in the Gazan city of Rafah on Friday, ordering... 25.05.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-05-25T12:20+0200
2024-05-25T12:20+0200
2024-05-25T14:37+0200
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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the court's new measures regarding Israel, emphasizing that the Jewish State is "obliged to implement" the order.Furthermore, the president urged all "state parties" to adhere to international law and reconsider their relations with Israel based on the court's findings.The South African leader emphasized that due to the humanitarian situation, "children and hundreds of thousands of people are at imminent risk of death because of a deliberate decision by Israel to starve the Palestinians by denying them food," as Israel's military operation is affecting the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.According to the enclave's Ministry of Health, as of Friday evening, the death toll from the Israeli military actions in the area since October 7 stood at 35,857.South African Director-General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation Zane Dangor also underlined in his video statement, that the order is "obligatory" and binding, and Israel must comply.On May 7, Israel deployed troops to Rafah, seven months after a Hamas attack on Israeli territory triggered the worst escalation in Gaza in decades. Israel's war cabinet vowed to continue the operation until all Hamas fighters were eliminated.On December 29, 2023, South Africa filed a lawsuit against Israel with the ICJ over alleged genocide in the Gaza Strip. On January 26, the ICJ issued provisional measures, directing Israel to prevent genocide and ensure humanitarian aid reaches the enclave, but did not mandate an immediate ceasefire. In early March, South Africa returned to the ICJ, seeking additional measures to address severe starvation among Palestinians in Gaza.
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cyril ramaphosa, israel, south africa, gaza, international court of justice (icj), hamas, ceasefire, troops, lawsuit, court, genocide, middle east, justice, politics, international, foreign ministry, foreign minister
cyril ramaphosa, israel, south africa, gaza, international court of justice (icj), hamas, ceasefire, troops, lawsuit, court, genocide, middle east, justice, politics, international, foreign ministry, foreign minister
South African President Calls on Israel to Uphold UN Court Resolutions on Operation in Gaza's Rafah
12:20 25.05.2024 (Updated: 14:37 25.05.2024) The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a verdict on South Africa's appeal against Israel's operation in the Gazan city of Rafah on Friday, ordering Israel to "immediately" halt its activities there and withdraw troops from the city area.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the court's new measures regarding Israel, emphasizing that the Jewish State is "obliged to implement" the order.
“Under international law, Israel is obliged to implement the Court’s Order, as well as the previous orders of 26 January (as reaffirmed by the Court on 16 February) and 28 March. Similarly, under international law, the prohibition on genocide is a peremptory norm from which no derogation is permitted, for any reason whatsoever,” President Ramaphosa said in a statement on Friday.
Furthermore, the president urged all "state parties" to adhere to international law and reconsider their relations with Israel based on the court's findings.
"We call on all State Parties to observe the prescripts of international law, which obliged them to reconsider their relations with Israel following the Court findings," he was quoted as saying.
The South African leader emphasized that due to the humanitarian situation, "children and hundreds of thousands of people are at imminent risk of death because of a deliberate decision by Israel to starve the Palestinians by denying them food," as Israel's military operation is affecting the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
"We are gravely concerned that Israel has restricted necessary levels of aid from entering Gaza and has systematically targeted aid and aid infrastructure within Gaza," he said. "This case is thus focused on the ordinary Palestinians in Gaza who are now facing their seventh month of suffering through collective punishment for something for which they have no individual responsibility."
According to the enclave's Ministry of Health, as of Friday evening, the death toll from the Israeli military actions in the area since October 7 stood at 35,857.
South African Director-General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation Zane Dangor also
underlined in his video statement, that the order is "obligatory" and binding, and Israel must comply.
“This order is groundbreaking, as it is the first time that explicit mention is made for Israel to halt its military action in any area of Rafah,” he said.
On May 7, Israel deployed troops to Rafah, seven months after a Hamas attack on Israeli territory triggered the worst escalation in Gaza in decades. Israel's war cabinet vowed to continue the operation until all Hamas fighters were eliminated.
On December 29, 2023, South Africa filed a lawsuit against Israel with the ICJ over alleged genocide in the Gaza Strip. On January 26, the ICJ issued provisional measures, directing Israel to prevent genocide and ensure humanitarian aid reaches the enclave, but did not mandate an immediate ceasefire. In early March, South Africa returned to the ICJ, seeking additional measures to address severe starvation among Palestinians in Gaza.
