By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South Africa has started an application against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over its actions in its war with Hamas.
The application was filed “concerning alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in relation to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip,” the ICJ said in a press release.
“Acts and ommisions by Israel….are genocidal in character as they are committed with the requisite specific intent … to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as a part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group,” read the statement.
It added: “The conduct of Israel – through its State organs, State agents, and other persons and entities acting on its instructions or under its direction, control or influence – in relation to Palestinians in Gaza, violates its obligations under the Genocide Convention,” the statement added, citing the application.
South Africa also accused Israel of “failing to prevent genocide” and “prosecuting the direct and public incitement to genocide” in the application.
“Israel has engaged in, is engaging in and risks further engaging in genocidal acts against the Palestinian people in Gaza,” the African country defended.
It also requested the ICJ to “indicate provisional measures to protect against further, severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people under the Genocide Convention and to ensure Israel’s compliance with its obligations under the Genocide Convention not to engage in genocide, and to prevent and to punish genocide.”
Dozens of Palestinians have been killed and many others injured as Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza continues for the 84th day in row.
The death toll in the enclave is approaching 22,000 and more than 55,300 Palestinians have also been injured as a result of the Israeli war. Concern is growing for the more than 7,000 reported to be missing and the several thousand Gazans that have been kidnapped by Israel and detained.
The situation for the nearly two million displaced Gazans sheltering in tents in United Nations refugee camps, and in hospitals and schools, also continues to decline rapidly. The UN, the World Health Organization, and dozens of rights groups and aid agencies have insisted Israel agree to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in order for civilians to get respite and access to much needed humanitarian assistance.