Israel-Hamas war: SA will continue pushing for protection of civilians
South Africa says it will continue to use channels such as the United Nations (UN) Security Council to ensure full and effective implementation of the existing provisional measures emanating from the International Court of Justice’s January order to curb Israel’s military assault on Palestine.
On Friday, the UN’s top court dismissed South Africa’s urgent request for additional measures in the Gaza Strip which was prompted by Israel’s threat to launch attacks in Rafah.
More than half of Gaza's 2.4 million population have sought shelter in the southern City of Rafah since Israel’s military assault following the October 7 attack by Hamas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted he would push ahead with a "powerful" operation in the overcrowded city to achieve "complete victory" over the militant group.
Hundreds of thousands of people have been driven into Rafah, seeking shelter in a sprawling makeshift encampment near the Egyptian border.
South Africa approached the ICJ seeking additional measures to safeguard Rafah, but the court found the measures it outlined in its January 26 ruling in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel were sufficient.
READ MORE: Top UN court rejects SA request for more Gaza measures
The court, however, agrees that the threats on Rafah would worsen the humanitarian crisis
South Africa has reiterated calls for Israel to adhere to the ICJ orders to protect civilians– and end the indiscriminate military action that’s claimed more than 28,000 Palestinian lives.
Meanwhile, earlier this week the White House said US President Joe Biden had spoken by phone with Netanyahu, urging him not to attack Rafah without a plan to keep civilians safe.
Additional reporting by AFP
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