ICJ to Rule on South Africa's Emergency Request Against Israel's Gaza Offensive

The International Court of Justice will decide on South Africa's request to halt Israel's Rafah offensive in Gaza. South Africa accuses Israel of genocide, demanding emergency measures to protect Palestinians. Israel denies these claims, stating they trivialize the crime of genocide.

The International Court of Justice will rule on Friday May 24 on South Africa's request to order a halt to Israel's Rafah offensive in Gaza, it said on Thursday.

In hearings last week South Africa had asked the ICJ, also known as the World Court, to order a halt to Israel's offensive in Gaza, and in Rafah in particular, to ensure the survival of the Palestinian people. The demand for such an emergency measure is part of a larger case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide.

Israel has denounced South Africa's claim that it is violating the 1948 Genocide Convention, saying

it makes a mockery of the crime of genocide. The court has previously rejected Israel's demand to throw out the case and has ordered it to prevent acts of genocide against the Palestinians.