ICJ requests information from Israel on Gaza evacuation zones

South Africa returns to the International Court of Justice, citing Israel’s alleged violations of court orders, as the court demands detailed information on Gaza’s evacuation zones

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has called on Israel to provide detailed information regarding the humanitarian conditions in designated evacuation zones in Gaza.

This request was made during a two-day hearing in the Hague, addressing South Africa’s urgent appeal for additional provisional measures against Israel.

Judge Georg Nolte posed a direct question to the Israeli delegation: “Can Israel provide information about the existing humanitarian conditions in the designated evacuation zones, in particular, al-Mawasi, and how it would ensure safe passage to these zones, as well as the provision of shelter, food, water, and other humanitarian aid and assistance to all evacuees that are and can be expected to arrive in these zones?”

Israel is expected to submit a written reply by May 18 at 4:00 p.m.

The hearing comes after South Africa accused Israel of genocide in Gaza in late 2023, leading to an interim ruling in January 2024.

The court found it “plausible” that Israel was committing genocide and ordered Tel Aviv to stop such acts and ensure humanitarian assistance to civilians.

South Africa returned to the ICJ due to what it described as “willful breaches” by Israel against the court’s binding orders, particularly in the city of Rafah, where over 1.4 million Palestinians are taking shelter.

During the hearing, Israeli representative Gilad Noam expressed surprise at the timing of the hearing and mentioned that Israel had requested a postponement, which was denied.

Noam claimed that Israel has worked “diligently to enable the protection of civilians” and that it is Israel’s “right and obligation to defend” its citizens.

Tamar Kaplan Tourgeman, the principal deputy legal adviser at the Israeli Foreign Ministry, refuted allegations that Israel had closed southern Gaza’s Rafah and Kerem Shalom border crossings.

“This is blatantly untrue,” Tourgeman stated, asserting that Israel facilitates the provision of humanitarian aid. Tourgeman also requested the court to reject South Africa’s appeal for additional provisional measures.

As Tourgeman delivered her statement, an outburst from the courtroom interrupted the proceedings briefly, but the hearing continued shortly afterward.

South Africa’s urgent request, filed last Friday, reflected the severe impact of Israel’s offensive on Gaza, particularly in Rafah.

The request is rooted in the extreme risk to humanitarian supplies, basic services and the survival of Palestinians in Gaza.

South Africa’s delegation argued that the current provisional measures are insufficient to address the changed circumstances and new facts on which their request is based.

Source: Newsroom