The International Court of Justice ordered Israel to stop the military offensive on Rafah.
“Israel must immediately stop its military offensive,” said the body’s president, Navaf Salam.
In its ruling, the ICJ stated that it was “not convinced” that the evacuation of Rafah and other measures were sufficient to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinians.
The court also ordered Israel to submit a report on the measures taken within one month.
“Israel must take effective measures to ensure unhindered access to the Gaza Strip for any commission of inquiry, fact-finding mission or investigative body authorized by competent UN bodies to investigate allegations of genocide,” the court said.
South Africa claims that the recent Israeli operation in Rafah has changed the situation on the ground following a Court order in January that called on Israel to do everything in its power to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza – but did not order a ceasefire.
In public hearings last week, South African ambassador Vusimuzi Madonsela said that “the Israeli genocide continued apace and had reached a new horrific phase”.
South Africa argues that changes on the ground should force the Court to issue new emergency orders, BHRT writes.
