By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) says it will decide this Friday at 13:00 on South Africa’s requested provisional measures against Israel in genocide case.
In a statement, the court said that a public sitting will take place at the Peace Palace in the Dutch city of Hague, where the court is located, during which, the president of the court, will read the court’s order.
South Africa filed a lawsuit with the ICJ requesting an injunction against Israel on the grounds that Israel’s attacks on Gaza violate the Genocide Convention.
South Africa is requesting that the ICJ grant nine interim injunctions, including that Israel immediately cease its military operations in Gaza, take reasonable measures to prevent the genocide of Palestinians, ensure that the displaced return to their homes and have access to humanitarian assistance, including adequate food, water, fuel, medical and hygiene supplies, shelter and clothing, take necessary steps to punish those involved in the genocide and preserve the evidence of genocide.
It also requested that the ICJ grant an injunction due to the urgency of the situation. Following the completion of hearings on Jan. 11 – 12, the Court began deliberations after examining the parties’ submissions and evidence.
This comes after the US legislators of the 435-member lower House of Representatives signed a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday urging him to denounce what they call SA’s “grossly unfounded case against Israel …, accusing Israel of genocide and asking the court to order Israel to immediately halt its military efforts in Gaza”.
The death toll in the Gaza Strip continues to mount by the day as the world awaits a decision from the ICJ in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel.
Around 24,500 Palestinians have now been killed in Israeli attacks, with more than 61,500 injured. Millions more displaced people are living through what UN experts said again on Wednesday is an “unfolding genocide,” warning that “Gazans now make up 80% of all people facing famine or catastrophic hunger worldwide.”