South Africa on Friday welcomed the International Criminal Court's (ICC) decision for Israel to "immediately" implement provisional measures in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, South Africa's Spokesman for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Clayson Monyela, wrote on social media.
"The court has affirmed our view that the perilous situation demands immediate and effective implementation of the provisional measures indicated by the Court in its Order of January 26, 2024, which are applicable throughout the GazaStrip and has clarified that this includes Rafah," the spokesman noted.
The official added that "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.'"
On January 26, the ICJ issued a ruling in South Africa's case against Israel concerning alleged genocide in the Gaza Strip. Israel was ordered to promptly take provisional measures to prevent genocide and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the region.
South Africa had submitted a complaint against Israel to the court on December 29, seeking measures to protect the Palestinian population from further violations of their rights under the Genocide Convention and to ensure Israel's compliance with its obligations.
Israel had been conducting airstrikes on Rafah in preparation for a ground offensive to target Hamas, having forced many Palestinians to seek refuge in the city over the past four months of the conflict.