Israel was at the International Court of Justice Friday (May 17), defending its military operation in Gaza. The United Nations' top court wrapped up a third round of hearings on emergency measures requested by South Africa, which says Israel’s military incursion in Rafah threatens the “very survival of Palestinians in Gaza."

The Hague

Israel responds to genocide charges at U.N. court

Israel appeared at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to defend its military operation in Gaza. This session concluded the third round of hearings on emergency measures requested by South Africa, which claims Israel’s incursion in Rafah threatens the survival of Palestinians.

South Africa urged the UN's top court to halt Israel's military campaign in Rafah. Israel's lawyer argued that dismantling Hamas' stronghold in Rafah is essential to liberate Palestinians. The offensive began on May 6, despite concerns about possible mass casualties.

The ICJ is also reviewing a case from January in which South Africa accuses Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, an allegation denied by Israel's representatives. Israel contends that it is involved in a tragic armed conflict, not genocide.

Amidst the hearing, a brief disruption occurred when a woman was removed by security. Gaza’s health ministry reports over 35,000 Palestinian deaths in the conflict. Residents face severe humanitarian challenges due to dwindling basic supplies.

South Africa also called for unimpeded access to Gaza for journalists, aid workers, and investigators. While a decision on this request is expected soon, a ruling on the genocide case will take several years. The ICJ's rulings, although binding, remain unenforceable in practice.



Israel responds to genocide charges at U.N. court

A day after South Africa called on the UN's top court to order a halt to Israel's military campaign in Rafah, a lawyer for Israel defended the offensive. Only by bringing down Hamas' military stronghold in Rafah will Palestinians be liberated from the clenched grip of a murderous terrorist regime. We do not wish harm to these civilians as Hamas does. Israel launched its military offensive in Gaza's southernmost city on May 6th, despite warnings that this could lead to mass casualties. The ICJ is already considering a case brought by Pretoria in January accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, an allegation that Israel's representative vehemently rejected. Israel is engaged in a difficult and tragic armed conflict. South Africa ignores this factual context. There is a tragic war going on, but there is no genocide. The hearing was briefly interrupted before a woman was removed by security guards. According to Gaza's health ministry, more than 35,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war. Residents are grappling with a dire humanitarian situation as basic supplies run increasingly thin on the ground. I think what we heard today is a delusional presentation and a parallel reality. Everything that the international community, the relevant institutions, the numbers of humanitarian workers who were killed, the number of journalists are saying contrary to what Israel is saying today. On Thursday, Pretoria also called on the court to allow quote unimpeded access to the enclave for journalists, aid workers and investigators. A decision on its request is anticipated next week, whereas a ruling on the genocide case is not expected for several years. Although the court's rulings are legally binding, they are unenforceable in practice.

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Palm Beach

Netanyahu meets Trump, says working on cease-fire

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Kansas City

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Paris

Paris Olympics

France rail network attacked before Olympics

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Saboteurs attack French railways ahead of Olympic ceremony

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Fujian

Typhoon Gaemi lashes China after pounding Taiwan, Philippines

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Caracas

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Washington

Israel-Gaza War

Harris strikes tougher tone on Gaza ceasefire deal

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Major security operation in place to guard Paris Olympics

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Biden meets with Netanyahu, presses for ceasefire in Gaza

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Miranda

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Canberra

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Dhaka

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U.S. Presidential Election

Biden says he bowed out to unite nation, backs Harris to beat Trump

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Kathmandu

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Manila

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Gofa

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Nuuk

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Beijing

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