The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague is poised to deliver a pivotal ruling this Friday at 1 p.m. (2 p.m. Israel time) regarding South Africa's petition, which seeks to compel Israel to cease its military operations in Gaza. This development follows the arrival of a South African delegation in The Hague, signaling the nation's high anticipation for the court's judgment.
Earlier in the month, the ICJ conducted hearings on South Africa's request for provisional measures linked to its allegations against Israel of genocide in Gaza. Although this upcoming ruling pertains only to provisional measures, it sets the stage for future hearings on the principal accusation of genocide, a charge Israel vehemently denies.
Hardly surprising. #SouthAfrica and Hamas are in bed. If any further reason was needed on whose orders SA was acting for in the #ICJ proceedings against Israel! https://t.co/xypGqwoWfW
— Arsen Ostrovsky 🎗️ (@Ostrov_A) January 24, 2024
Israel has responded to these allegations by denouncing them as gross distortions. Emphasizing its right to self-defense, Israel states its military actions are targeted against Hamas, not Palestinian civilians. This stance follows the deadly October 7 attacks by Hamas, which resulted in over 1,200 casualties and the abduction of around 250 hostages in Israel.
This ruling arrives at a crucial moment in ongoing negotiations for hostage release. Currently, Israel faces mounting global pressure to halt its military campaign in Gaza, alongside discussions of a hostage exchange deal. This potential agreement could involve a ceasefire lasting at least one month, in return for the liberation of the remaining 132 hostages.
The high death toll in Gaza has brought Israel under intense scrutiny. While Hamas claims over 25,000 Palestinian fatalities, Israel maintains that at least 9,000 of these were combatants.
PRESS RELEASE: the #ICJ will deliver its Order on the request for the indication of provisional measures submitted by South Africa in the case #SouthAfrica v. #Israel this Friday, 26 January 2024, at 1 p.m. (The Hague). Watch live on @UNWebTV https://t.co/tikn2TSa8U pic.twitter.com/2csTaDZVZ1
— CIJ_ICJ (@CIJ_ICJ) January 24, 2024
In this high-stakes legal proceeding, South Africa has accused Israel of perpetrating genocide against Palestinians, particularly during the recent Gaza conflict triggered by Hamas's October 7 offensive. The South African delegation has proposed nine provisional measures to the ICJ, including a directive for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to cease military actions in Gaza, effectively pushing for a ceasefire.
Israeli officials, as reported by Ynet, indicate that they have not received an official notice from the ICJ's registry, and no formal communication on the matter has been made public. The decision is anticipated before February 6, coinciding with the scheduled change of judges at the international tribunal.
Douglas Murray on #doublestandards applied to only #Israel in times of war of self-defense against #Hamas in #Gaza. #hypocrisy #ICJ #IDF #Antisemitism pic.twitter.com/ESVzx9pjOv
— Ora Levitt 🇮🇱 חיילת צה"ל 🇮🇱 עם ישראל חי (@IDFsoldiergirl) January 17, 2024
ICJ Judge President Joan Donoghue, following initial oral presentations, declared that a decision would be made “as soon as possible,” underscoring the urgency and significance of this international legal deliberation.
