The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has declined South Africa’s request for urgent measures to safeguard Palestinians threatened by a potential Israeli ground assault in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. In a statement released on Friday, the ICJ acknowledged the “perilous” situation in Rafah, emphasizing the need for immediate implementation of provisional measures previously ordered by the court.
The ICJ referenced the recent developments in Gaza, particularly in Rafah, noting the escalation of what it described as “a humanitarian nightmare with untold regional consequences.” While acknowledging the urgency of the situation, the court stated that it does not require additional provisional measures beyond those previously indicated in its Order of January 26, 2024, which called for Israel to prevent genocidal acts in its conflict with Gaza.
Israel has vehemently denied committing genocide in Gaza, despite the ongoing conflict resulting in the deaths of over 28,000 Palestinians and the displacement of a significant portion of the population. South Africa’s urgent request to the ICJ highlighted the hundreds of thousands of civilians trapped in Rafah, warning of the dire consequences of an Israeli ground invasion on the civilian population. The ICJ reiterated Israel’s obligation to comply with the Genocide Convention and its previous orders to ensure the safety and security of Palestinians in Gaza.
Despite the ICJ’s decision not to grant further urgent measures, the situation in Gaza remains highly precarious, with international concerns mounting over the potential for further violence and humanitarian crises in the region.
