Note
South Africa Accuses Israel of Defying ICJ Orders in Offensive on Rafah
During a session at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), South African delegate Professor Max du Plessis has accused Israel of flouting court directives issued in January. Instead of adhering to these orders, du Plessis asserted that Israel has intensified its aggression by “trapping, besieging, and bombarding overcrowded Rafah”.
Describing Israel’s current offensive on the city as the “deadliest phase of this ongoing genocide,” du Plessis conveyed grave concerns regarding the situation.
He reiterated that the ICJ’s initial directives were prompted by the imminent threat to the existence of the Palestinian population in Gaza, which is currently facing irreparable harm. Prevention, he argued, is the most effective means of safeguarding the rights of Gazans.
South Africa is advocating for urgent action, asserting that swift intervention is imperative to avert further escalation and potential irreparable harm.
Gaza Media Office Reports Over 100 Academics Killed Amid Israeli Conflict
The local media office has released a sobering list detailing the tragic toll of the ongoing conflict. More than 100 academics, including university professors and researchers, have fallen victim to Israeli aggression since the commencement of hostilities on October 7th.
The Gaza media office underscored the devastating impact of the violence, highlighting the complete destruction of over 103 universities and schools, with an additional 311 educational institutions suffering partial damage. The toll on Gaza’s academic infrastructure is staggering, reflecting the profound humanitarian crisis unfolding amidst the conflict.
In an appeal, the office called upon universities and educational sectors worldwide to denounce these egregious acts and stand in solidarity against the relentless violence perpetrated against Gaza’s academic community.
South Africa Challenges ICJ’s Handling of Israeli Offensive, Calls for Stronger Protection for Palestinians
During a session at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), South Africa’s second representative, Professor Vaughan Lowe, voiced concerns over the effectiveness of provisional measures issued to Israel by the court, stating they had failed to adequately safeguard Palestinians against genocide.
Lowe emphasized the urgency for the ICJ to “reassert its own authority and the authority of international law” in light of the ongoing Israeli offensive in Rafah, which he deemed as the culmination of Gaza’s destruction and the oppression of its Palestinian inhabitants.
“While it was Rafah that brought South Africa to the court, it is imperative to recognize that all Palestinians – as a national, ethnic, and racial group – require the protection from genocide that the court can mandate,” Lowe asserted.
South Africa Raises Alarm on Gaza Genocide at International Court of Justice
Addressing the International Court of Justice, Vusi Madonsela, South Africa’s ambassador to the Netherlands, delivered a solemn declaration, asserting that the genocide in Gaza persists relentlessly.
In his opening remarks during the court hearing, Madonsela underscored the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that South Africa’s fourth submission to the court was prompted not solely by the recent offensive in Rafah but also by a marked escalation in the Israeli onslaught engulfing Gaza in recent days.
Israeli Raids in West Bank Leave Three Palestinians Dead, Millions Lost in Currency Exchange
Tragic events unfolded in the occupied West Bank as Israeli raids claimed the lives of three Palestinians overnight, revealed statements from the Palestinian Health Ministry and officials.
The victims, identified as Ayman Ahmad Mubarak, 26, Husam Imad Da’bas, 22, and Mohammed Yusif Nasrallah, 27, fell victim to the violence that swept through the region.
Simultaneously, Israeli forces executed a series of raids targeting 11 branches of a prominent money exchange company. According to reports from Al Jazeera, these operations resulted in losses amounting to around 4 million shekels, surpassing $1 million.
