ICJ Rejects South Africa’s Request for Urgent Measures Against Israel

International Court of Justice judges examining South Africa’s case against Israel last January. (Reuters)
International Court of Justice judges examining South Africa’s case against Israel last January. (Reuters)
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ICJ Rejects South Africa’s Request for Urgent Measures Against Israel

International Court of Justice judges examining South Africa’s case against Israel last January. (Reuters)
International Court of Justice judges examining South Africa’s case against Israel last January. (Reuters)

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday rejected a South African request to impose urgent measures to safeguard Rafah in the Gaza Strip but also stressed that Israel must respect earlier measures imposed late last month.

Headquartered in The Hague, the ICJ issued its decision “on South Africa’s request for additional provisional measures.”

“The Court notes that the most recent developments in the Gaza Strip, and in Rafah in particular, would exponentially increase what is already a humanitarian nightmare with untold regional consequences,” Arab World Press reported.

“This perilous situation demands immediate and effective implementation of the provisional measures indicated by the Court in its Order of 26 January 2024, which are applicable throughout the Gaza Strip, including in Rafah, and does not demand the indication of additional provisional measures.”

The Court emphasizes that Israel “remains bound to fully comply with its obligations under the Genocide Convention and with the said Order, including by ensuring the safety and security of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.”

In January, South Africa filed a case at the top UN court in The Hague, accusing Israel of committing genocide in its war on Gaza.

South Africa’s government said Tuesday it had lodged an "urgent request" with the UN’s ICJ to consider whether Israel’s military operations targeting the southern Gaza city of Rafah are a breach of provisional orders the court handed down last month in a case alleging genocide.

“Israel regrets that South Africa seeks once again to misuse the Court’s provisional measures procedure,” Israel said in its observations on South Africa’s request for additional measures. South Africa refers in its request to “a significant development in the situation in Gaza,” but there has been nothing of the sort, it added.



Hamas Says It Awaits Outcomes of Mediators' Talks on Gaza Ceasefire with Israel

A Palestinian man uses the door of a refrigerator as a makeshift rowing boat to catch fish at the port of Gaza City on March 9, 2025.  (Photo by BASHAR TALEB / AFP)
A Palestinian man uses the door of a refrigerator as a makeshift rowing boat to catch fish at the port of Gaza City on March 9, 2025. (Photo by BASHAR TALEB / AFP)
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Hamas Says It Awaits Outcomes of Mediators' Talks on Gaza Ceasefire with Israel

A Palestinian man uses the door of a refrigerator as a makeshift rowing boat to catch fish at the port of Gaza City on March 9, 2025.  (Photo by BASHAR TALEB / AFP)
A Palestinian man uses the door of a refrigerator as a makeshift rowing boat to catch fish at the port of Gaza City on March 9, 2025. (Photo by BASHAR TALEB / AFP)

Hamas said on Monday that it is showing flexibility in talks with mediators and is awaiting the outcome of efforts from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States in negotiations with Israel.
"We have dealt flexibly with the efforts of the mediators and (US President Donald) Trump's envoy, and we await the results of the anticipated negotiations, holding the occupation accountable for the agreement and moving to the second phase”, a Hamas statement read.
It added, according to Reuters, that the “negotiations conducted with the Egyptian and Qatari mediators and Trump's envoy are focused on ending the war, withdrawal, and reconstruction.
Hamas concluded saying that Israel’s statements about plans to resume fighting in Gaza and the decision to cut electricity to the Gaza Strip are all failed choices that pose a threat to the prisoners.