South Africa has pleaded vehemently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for an urgent end to Israel’s “genocidal” assault in Gaza, with special attention to the beleaguered city of Rafah.
Addressing the court in The Hague, Vusimuzi Madonsela, South Africa’s ambassador to the Netherlands, underscored the pressing urgency of the situation. Expressing profound disappointment over previous attempts to halt the “genocidal process,” Madonsela stressed the imperative for immediate action.
Despite mounting international concern, the assault on Gaza persists unabated, plunging the region into a state of dire crisis with innocent civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict. Madonsela’s address at the ICJ underscored the gravity of Israel’s actions, describing the situation as having reached a “new and horrific stage.”
Reflecting on South Africa’s aspirations articulated in previous engagements with the court, Madonsela lamented the failure to halt the genocidal process and preserve the sanctity of Palestine and its people. He highlighted the continued escalation of the attack on Gaza, signalling a distressing trajectory.
Last year, the ICJ issued a precedent-setting order directing Israel to take decisive measures to prevent genocide in Gaza and facilitate the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid into the enclave.
