Egypt supports South Africa's ICJ genocide case against Israel as Rafah assaults intensify

CAIRO – 12 May 2024: Egypt announced on Sunday its intervention to support South Africa's case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which accuses Israel of committing acts of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

Last week, South Africa requested the ICJ to order the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Rafah, a city that currently shelters over half of the Palestinian population, with about 1.4 million residents.

South Africa's call follows the ICJ's previous order in January, urging Israel to refrain from any actions falling under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

The court issued provisional measures in response to South Africa’s case, which started in December, demanding that Israel ensures its forces refrain from committing any genocidal acts against Palestinians.

Israel has been carrying out evacuations of Palestinians in Rafah over the past week, resulting in tens of thousands seeking refuge outside the city, which lies near the Egyptian border and was considered the last relatively safe sanctuary for Gazans.

Israel screws up at genocide again by dropping leaflets calling for evacuation. #Israel #palestine #Hamas #Rafah https://t.co/kCWTC4TEz0

— Redstonerogue (@rogueredstone) May 12, 2024

Despite global warnings, Israel launched ground assaults in Rafah since Tuesday and took control of the Gazan side of the Rafah border crossing.

This action has drawn condemnation from Egypt, which has called for an immediate cessation of the attacks.

Official Intervention

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement confirming Egypt's official intervention to support South Africa's genocide case against Israel before the ICJ.

The statement emphasizes that Egypt's intervention comes in response to the escalating severity and scale of Israeli assaults on Palestinians in Gaza.

The ministry's statement highlights Israel's systematic practices against Palestinians in Gaza, including deliberate targeting of civilians, destruction of infrastructure, and forcing Palestinians to leave their land.

These actions by Israel “have led to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, creating unlivable conditions in the Gaza Strip, blatantly violating international law, international humanitarian law, and the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War,” according to the ministry.

Egypt calls on Israel, as the occupying force, to comply with the provisional measures issued by the ICJ. These measures call for ensuring adequate aid delivery and refraining from any violations against Palestinians by Israeli forces.

Additionally, Egypt urges the UN Security Council and influential international actors to take immediate action to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, halt military operations in Rafah city, and provide necessary protection to Palestinian civilians.

Heavy Israeli bombardment of Jabalia refugee camp continues. This video shows the bombardment of the medical personnel and journalists in the camp. pic.twitter.com/HFVEA5Be9B

— Mustafa Barghouti @Mustafa_Barghouti (@MustafaBarghou1) May 12, 2024

Unfolding Invasion of Rafah

The recent Israeli takeover of the Rafah border crossing from the Gaza side has obstructed the main point of aid delivery, increasing the risk of famine in the strip, which has been under war since October 7.

On Saturday, a high-level source stated that Egypt refuses to coordinate with Israel on the delivery of humanitarian aid through the Rafah border crossing, in light of the unprecedented escalation by Israel.

The source emphasized Egypt's position, holding Israel accountable for the deteriorating situation in Gaza, and cautioned about the consequences of the crossing takeover.

Israel claims that Hamas has stationed most of its leaders in Rafah.

The US recently ordered suspension of a bomb shipment to Israel due to concerns over the Rafah operation. Israel asserted that it will combat the Palestinian movement in the city, alone if necessary.

The assaults in Rafah put the lives of around 1.4 million Palestinians, including 600,000 children, at risk, according to warning by the UNICEF.

Since Tuesday, the Israeli assault in Rafah has resulted in the deaths of dozens of Palestinians, further adding to the already staggering toll of around 35,000 people killed and over 78,000 wounded since the war started seven months ago.