Rafah Offensive: South Africa Makes 'Urgent Request' to ICJ

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Facts

  • South Africa said Monday it filed an 'urgent request' with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to consider additional emergency measures to protect the local population in Rafah amid the planned expansion of Israel's military offensive in the southern Gazan city.1
  • In its request, Pretoria described Rafah as 'the last refuge for surviving people in Gaza' and urged the ICJ to weigh if Israel's recent offensive requires the World Court to use its authority 'to prevent further imminent breach of the rights of Palestinians in Gaza.'2
  • Further, the request claimed Israel's 'unprecedented' Rafah operation had already led to 'large-scale killing, harm and destruction' and will continue, adding this would constitute a 'serious and irreparable breach' of the Genocide Convention and the ICJ order issued on Jan. 26.3
  • That ICJ ruling, which has no enforcement power, ordered Israel to prevent genocidal acts but did not call for a cease-fire. It came after South Africa filed a case with the World Court in December 2023, accusing Israel of 'genocidal intention' against the Palestinians in Gaza.4
  • Israel has rejected accusations of genocide, calling on the court to dismiss the case entirely. It also claimed to be obligated to international law and that its operations are self-defense. The ICJ declined to comment on whether it had received Pretoria's latest request.5
  • The UN on Wednesday warned that Israel's plan to attack Rafah could lead to 'slaughter.' Following weeks of airstrikes on the city, an increasing number of countries — including the US, the EU, the UK, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt — voiced concerns about its civilian impact.6

Sources: 1Al Jazeera, 2ZA, 3Middle East Monitor, 4EL PAÍS English, 5alarabiya.net and 6CNN.

Narratives

  • Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by Jerusalem Post. Israel has no choice but to expand its military operations to Rafah, as the city remains Hamas' last stronghold. Israel is trying to limit the toll by urging civilians to head to humanitarian zones on the coast. But Hamas has been known to use refugees as human shields.
  • Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by Al Jazeera. Israel has repeatedly issued warnings to civilians to seek out safe areas where the country has still proceeded to carry out bombings and other deadly tactics. The Israeli government continues to disregard Palestinian lives and the country's genocidal actions warrant international condemnation.

Predictions