Israel moves ICJ to continue with Rafah emergency orders

THE HAGUE: Israel has made a request to the International Court of Justice to reject a plea by South Africa to issue additional emergency steps because of Tel Aviv’s plan to extend its offensive into the city of Rafah.

According to documents released by the ICJ, also known as the World Court, Tel Aviv had argued that the emergency measures issued some 3 weeks ago already cover the situation of hostilities in Gaza as a whole and the ICJ should reject the South African request.

Israel has admitted it has a plan to expand its ground assault into Rafah, home to over a million Palestinian refugees since Hamas fighters attacked Israel on October 7.

Earlier this week South Africa had asked the World Court to issue an extra emergency measures to guard Palestinians’ rights in Rafah.

The World Court had last month issued an order to Israel to take all necessary measures within its power to stop its troops from committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, in a case brought by South Africa.

Tel Aviv has rejected all allegations of genocide regarding its war in Gaza.

It was not clear when the World Court judges will rule on the latest request of South Africa or whether they will call additional hearings to consider it.