South Africa has called for urgent action from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to order Israel to withdraw from Gaza’s Rafah, with Egyptian authorities announcing it would join South Africa in its case against Israel.
The move comes in response to the escalating Israeli aggression against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. The death toll has surpassed 35,000 since the conflict began in October, with the majority of casualties being women and children, according to Palestinian authorities.
Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Sunday,12 May, its intention to join the case filed by South Africa against Israel at the ICJ. Cairo cited the worsening severity and scope of Israeli attacks against Palestinian civilians in Gaza as the basis for its decision.
South Africa initiated its case against Israel in January, accusing the country of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The ICJ issued an interim ruling in January, acknowledging a plausible risk of genocide and ordering Israel to take provisional measures to prevent genocidal acts.
The situation in Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip, has escalated significantly, prompting international concern over the safety and well-being of civilians caught in the crossfire.
On 12 May, Israeli authorities issued urgent evacuation warnings for residents of the city. Flyers dropped from the air and posts on social media have instructed residents in Rafah’s eastern districts to evacuate to al-Mawasi, a narrow coastal area designated as an “expanded humanitarian zone” by Israel.
However, aid agencies have warned that al-Mawasi lacks essential facilities and infrastructure to accommodate the influx of evacuees, including access to water, sanitation, and medical services.
President Joe Biden also weighed in on the situation, denouncing the prospect of a major offensive in Rafah. He emphasised that while the US remains committed to supporting Israel’s right to defend itself, it would not support actions that could lead to civilian casualties or exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Biden administration stated the United States would pause its weapons shipment to Israel over its concerns about civilian casualties in Rafah.
In a dramatic gesture, Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan shredded the UN charter before the General Assembly, demonstrating extreme outrage in response to a resolution endorsing Palestine’s right to full membership in the United Nations.
The ambassador’s action came just before the General Assembly overwhelmingly approved the resolution, which called on the Security Council to reconsider Palestine’s request to become the 194th member of the United Nations. With 143 countries voting in favour of the resolution, including India, and only nine nations, including the United States and Israel, voting against it, the resolution marked a significant step towards recognizing Palestine on the global stage.
Amid escalating global tensions surrounding the Israel-Palestine war, a disturbing incident unfolded as the UN building in Jerusalem was set on fire and forced to close its doors on 10 May. Since the start of the Gaza conflict on 7 October, Israeli officials have consistently advocated for the closure of the agency, alleging its complicity with the Hamas movement in Gaza, a claim vehemently denied by the United Nations.
This arson attack marks a dangerous turn in the conflict, underscoring the heightened emotions and risks faced by international organisations attempting to navigate the complex dynamics of the region.
