Israel will respond, Friday January 12, to what the country describes as“atrocious” allegations that he committed “acts of genocide” in the Gaza Strip, in a historic case before the highest court of the UN. In December, South Africa urgently seized the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which sits in The Hague, arguing that Tel Aviv is violating the United Nations Convention on Genocide with the war it is waging in the Gaza strip. The Israeli offensive, which is entering its fourth month, has cost the lives of nearly 23,500 people, according to the latest report from the Gaza Ministry of Health. Pretoria wants the ICJ to order Tel Aviv to stop “immediately” this military campaign. Follow our live stream.
South Africa says Tel Aviv has “crossed a line”. “No armed attack on the territory of a State, however serious it may be (…) can justify a violation of the Convention” on the genocide, the South African Minister of Justice told the ICJ. “Israel’s response to the October 7 attack crossed this line and gave rise to violations of the Convention,” argued Ronald Lamola.
The ICJ’s decision expected in the coming weeks. As this is an emergency procedure, the court could rule quickly. She will not yet rule on the merits of the case, but only on whether the fundamental rights of Gaza residents are currently under threat. ICJ decisions are final and legally binding, but the court has no power to enforce them. For example, she ordered Russia to suspend its invasion of Ukraine.
Strikes against the Houthis in Yemen. The United States and the United Kingdom carried out strikes against the Houthis during the night from Thursday to Friday. They targeted military sites in several towns controlled by Yemeni rebels, the group’s television channel said. The Houthis have been threatening international maritime traffic in the Red Sea for weeks, “solidarity” with the Palestinians in Gaza.