“The Latest Decision by the ICJ Shifts Responsibility Back to the US and UN”
Kenneth Roth, formerly the executive director of Human Rights Watch and currently a visiting professor at Princeton University in the US, explained to that despite the International Court of Justice’s refusal to grant South Africa’s emergency request to halt Israel’s assault on Rafah, it did issue a strongly worded condemnation of the planned operation.
“South Africa filed this emergency application out of concern for the potential consequences of the threatened invasion of Rafah,” Roth stated, expressing hope that the court would intervene to prevent the invasion.
Although the ICJ did not grant South Africa’s request, Roth noted, “It did use very forceful language. It warned that if the invasion were to proceed, it would significantly exacerbate an already dire humanitarian situation.”
“What the court essentially conveyed,” Roth continued, “is that it had already instructed for all hostilities to cease. Rather than reiterating its stance, it now falls upon the governments of the world, the UN Security Council, and particularly the US government, to take action to halt this loss of life.”
“South Africa Affirms Court Decision Reflects Exceptionally Perilous Situation in Rafah”
The South African President’s office issued a statement expressing appreciation for the International Court of Justice’s response to South Africa’s plea for further interim actions against Israel.
The court emphasized that any Israeli incursion into Rafah would “significantly exacerbate the existing humanitarian crisis, with potential regional ramifications,” and underscored the necessity of adhering to current directives to prevent genocide.
Although the court declined South Africa’s petition for additional measures, which constituted the core of their request, South Africa highlighted in their statement that the court acknowledged:
- The heightened peril posed by Israel’s proposed actions in Rafah, intensifying an already dire humanitarian situation.
- The imperative need to observe the current interim measures.
- That compliance with the existing interim measures necessitates safeguarding civilians in Gaza, including those in Rafah.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/2/16/israels-war-on-gaza-live-17000-children-torn-from-parents-un-says
