The Hague - New York: Europe and the Arabs
The International Court of Justice issued a decision, affirming that the State of Israel remains obligated to fully comply with its obligations under the Genocide Convention and the Court’s order – including by ensuring the safety and security of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. This decision came at the request of South Africa to the Court to take additional interim measures. According to the United Nations daily news bulletin, a copy of which we received this morning
In the context of the case relating to the application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel), the Court considered South Africa's letter of 12 February 2024 and Israel's observations thereon.
In a press statement yesterday evening, Friday, the Dutch court based in The Hague indicated that the recent developments in the Gaza Strip, and in Rafah in particular, would significantly increase what is already considered a humanitarian nightmare with countless regional consequences, as the Secretary-General stated. To the United Nations during a speech he delivered to the General Assembly on February 7, regarding his priorities for 2024.
The court explained in its decision that this dangerous situation requires the immediate and effective implementation of the temporary measures referred to by the court in its order issued on January 26, 2024. It stated that these measures apply to all parts of the Gaza Strip, including Rafah, and thus the matter does not require the issuance of measures. Additional temporary.

It is noteworthy that on 29 December 2023, South Africa submitted a request to the International Court of Justice to institute a case against Israel in relation to Israel’s alleged violations of its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide with respect to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
South Africa asked the court to “indicate interim measures in order to protect Palestinians in Gaza from further serious and irreparable harm” under the convention and to ensure that Israel complies with its obligations under the convention not to engage in, prevent and punish genocide.

Upon request, the Court held two public hearings on the request for reference to interim measures submitted by South Africa on Thursday 11 and Friday 12 January. On 26 January 2024, the court issued its order at the request of South Africa.