ICJ Holds Hearings on Israel's Military Incursion into Rafah

The United Nations' top court, the International Court of Justice, has held its third hearing regarding the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. South Africa has filed an urgent request for provisional measures, accusing Israel of committing genocide and war crimes. However, Israel has contested these accusations, claiming it is fighting a war of self-defense and making "extraordinary" efforts to protect civilians. Israeli forces have advanced into the outskirts of Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city, displacing over 630,000 people, many of whom are already displaced from elsewhere in Gaza.

South Africa has repeatedly sought international intervention to stop Israel's assault on Rafah, with its latest attempt being a request to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to order a halt to the offensive. The country argues that the scale of suffering in Gaza is so intense that a total ceasefire is needed. South Africa's legal team presented its case at the ICJ, citing concerns about the destructive nature of Israel's campaign and its potential genocidal consequences.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is set to hold emergency hearings on Thursday and Friday at the request of South Africa, which seeks to order a halt to Israel's military operation in Rafah, Gaza. This marks the fourth time South Africa has sought emergency measures from the ICJ since launching proceedings alleging that Israel's actions in Gaza constitute genocide. The UN reports that at least 35,233 Palestinians have been killed and 79,141 wounded in the conflict.