South Africa has asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to urgently enforce additional measures against Israel to prevent a famine in the Gaza strip.
A statement released by the Presidency on Wednesday detailed that South Africa approached the ICJ with an urgent application for the provisional measures the court ordered on 26 January 2024 to be strengthened.
According to the Presidency, the urgent application has been necessitated by widespread starvation in Gaza, which has claimed the lives of at least 15 children in the past week alone, with the actual numbers believed to be much higher.
RELATED STORY: Probe violence against Palestinian women – UN rights experts.
It added that the United Nations (UN) experts have warned that the number of deaths will increase exponentially unless military activities are halted and the blockade is lifted.
“The situation is urgent. South Africa has no choice but to approach the Court for the strengthening of the Provisional Measures in place to try prevent full-scale famine, starvation and disease in the Gaza Strip, which experts predict may result in more than 85 000 deaths in the next six months, if nothing is done,” the statement read.
South Africa’s move comes on the back of warnings by the UN General Assembly, and an unprecedented number of UN bodies and human rights experts that have recognised that the only way to avert such a catastrophe is by an immediate cessation of hostilities to enable full and effective delivery of humanitarian aid.
“Time is running out for the Palestinians. It is already too late for the 30 000 people who have lost their lives in Gaza since the start of the conflict. The world has an obligation to do whatever can be done immediately to stop further suffering and loss of life. The threat of all-out famine has now materialised.
“The Court needs to act now to stop the imminent tragedy by immediately and effectively ensuring that the rights it has found are threatened under the Genocide Convention are protected. The people of Gaza cannot wait,” the Presidency stated.
ALSO READ: Malaysia welcomes South Africa’s legal action against Israel.
The State of Israel is specifically called upon to take swift and effective measures, including suspending military operations in Gaza, lifting the blockade, and revoking any hindrances to Palestinians’ access to humanitarian assistance.
Furthermore, Israel is required to provide urgently needed basic services and humanitarian aid, address issues like famine and adverse living conditions in Gaza. This entails ensuring access to food, water, fuel, shelter, clothing, hygiene, sanitation, and medical assistance.
Lastly, Israel must submit an open report to the Court within one month detailing the actions taken to implement all ordered provisional measures up to the present date.
1 Comment
Pingback: Türkiye intends to join South Africa in ICJ genocide case - Sociopolitical Discourse Agency