Israel’s legal team is preparing to answer South Africa’s claims at the International Criminal Court (ICJ) that its military operations targeting Hamas militants are akin to genocide.
On Thursday, South Africa’s high-powered delegation to The Hague argued before a full bench that Israel’s politicians want to wipe out the civilian population in Gaza.
South Africa wants the court to declare provisionary measures that will halt the fighting and violence to allow much-needed humanitarian aid to reach the embattled citizens of Gaza.
South Africa’s Adila Hassim told the court (ICJ) that Gaza residents are on the brink of war and have been condemned to starve to death or die of thirst if the bombs didn’t kill them.
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Watch South Africa’s submissions here
Israel responds on social media hours after South Africa’s submissions to the ICJ
Israeli government officials have repeatedly argued that it has no intention of remaining in Gaza, neither does it want to decimate the civilian population.
It’s also argued that all its military strikes have been “in line with international law”.
Supporters for both sides of the war gathered outside the ICJ at the Hague to make their voices heard.
