South Africa has made another urgent bid to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for Israel to halt its military actions in Gaza, end the blockade, and remove any obstacles preventing Palestinians from accessing humanitarian aid and essential services. Additionally, South Africa is requesting that Israel provide necessary resources such as food, water, fuel, shelter, clothing, hygiene products, medical assistance, and supplies to the people in Gaza.

By Staff Reporter

Israel has levelled accusations against South Africa for what they claim is the “cynical exploitation” of the International Court of Justice. This accusation comes after Pretoria has once again requested emergency measures concerning the ongoing war in Gaza.

Israel accused South Africa of being “representatives of Hamas” and called on the court to reject Pretoria’s latest request.

Israel claimed that South Africa was acting as “representatives of Hamas” and urged the ICJ to dismiss Pretoria’s recent appeal.

“South Africa continues to act as the legal arm of Hamas in an attempt to undermine Israel’s inherent right to defend itself and its citizens, and to release all of the hostages,” foreign ministry spokesman Lior Haiat said in a statement.

“Israel acts and will continue to act in accordance with international law, including by facilitating humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, regardless of any legal proceedings,” the Israeli ministry said.

“We call on the ICJ to reject outright the new request of the representatives of Hamas.”

On Wednesday, South Africa filed an urgent bid to the International Court of Justice (ICJ)  to change the provisional measures ordered against Israel on January 26, 2024. The measures required Israel to prevent a severe famine in the Gaza Strip.

In January, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) determined that South Africa had presented a credible argument of genocide against Israel concerning its military actions in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of more than 30,000 people. With concerns mounting over the increasing deaths due to starvation in Gaza, South Africa has once more requested the ICJ to mandate a ceasefire to facilitate the delivery of aid to the region.

The amended measures urgently sought by South Africa involve an appeal for Israel “to take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address famine and starvation and the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in Gaza.”

South Africa contends that this would require Israel to, without delay, halt its military activities in Gaza, remove its embargo on the region, and revoke “all other existing measures and practices that directly or indirectly have the effect of obstructing the access of Palestinians in Gaza to humanitarian assistance and basic services”.

It also demands that Israel be compelled to guarantee the supply of enough food, water, fuel, shelter, clothing, hygiene and sanitation necessities, as well as medical assistance and supplies.