South Africa has formally petitioned the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for urgent measures against Israel, citing “widespread starvation” resulting from its Gaza offensive.
This marks Pretoria’s second request, the first being denied in February. The new plea emphasizes the dire situation in Gaza, with concerns that it may be the last chance to avert famine.
The UN’s humanitarian affairs office highlights imminent famine risks, and crowds in Gaza have resorted to stopping and looting food aid trucks.
Since Hamas’s October 7 attack, Gaza has faced severe shortages of food and water, leading to at least 18 deaths, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry.
In January, the ICJ ordered Israel to prevent genocide during its Gaza offensive, mandating the facilitation of aid into the region.
South Africa accuses Israel of violating the 1948 UN Genocide Convention, with the court rejecting a mid-February request to pressure Israel over an offensive in Rafah.
Israel, consistently dismissing court proceedings, maintains its actions are self-defense after the October attacks by Hamas.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects the charges, deeming them false and outrageous.
Despite South Africa hailing the ICJ’s January ruling as a victory for a potential ceasefire, subsequent efforts were unsuccessful.
The Gaza war, triggered by Hamas’s attack, resulted in approximately 1,160 deaths in Israel and at least 30,717 in Gaza, mainly women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry, based on official Israeli figures.
