By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/top-un-court-rejects-south-africas-request-for-urgent-measures-to-safeguard-rafah Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Top UN court rejects South Africa’s request for urgent measures to safeguard Rafah World Feb 16, 2024 3:44 PM EDT THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The top UN court 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 at a preliminary stage in a landmark genocide case. The International Court of Justice said in a statement that the “perilous situation” in Rafah “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.” READ MORE: Stopping short of ordering cease-fire, top UN court orders Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza The world court added 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.” South Africa announced Tuesday that it had lodged an “urgent request” with the International Court of Justice to consider whether Israel’s military operations targeting the southern Gaza city of Rafah breach provisional orders the court handed down last month in a case alleging genocide. On Thursday, Israel urged the world court to reject what it called South Africa’s “highly peculiar and improper” request. READ MORE: 5 patients die as oxygen runs out in Gaza hospital seized by Israeli forces, health officials say Israel strongly denies committing genocide in Gaza and says it does all it can to spare civilians and is only targeting Hamas militants. It says Hamas’ tactic of embedding in civilian areas makes it difficult to avoid civilian casualties. Even so, the court last month ordered Israel to do all it can to prevent death, destruction and any acts of genocide in Gaza, but the panel stopped short of ordering an end to the military offensive that has laid waste to the Palestinian enclave. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The top UN court 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 at a preliminary stage in a landmark genocide case. The International Court of Justice said in a statement that the “perilous situation” in Rafah “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.” READ MORE: Stopping short of ordering cease-fire, top UN court orders Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza The world court added 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.” South Africa announced Tuesday that it had lodged an “urgent request” with the International Court of Justice to consider whether Israel’s military operations targeting the southern Gaza city of Rafah breach provisional orders the court handed down last month in a case alleging genocide. On Thursday, Israel urged the world court to reject what it called South Africa’s “highly peculiar and improper” request. READ MORE: 5 patients die as oxygen runs out in Gaza hospital seized by Israeli forces, health officials say Israel strongly denies committing genocide in Gaza and says it does all it can to spare civilians and is only targeting Hamas militants. It says Hamas’ tactic of embedding in civilian areas makes it difficult to avoid civilian casualties. Even so, the court last month ordered Israel to do all it can to prevent death, destruction and any acts of genocide in Gaza, but the panel stopped short of ordering an end to the military offensive that has laid waste to the Palestinian enclave. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now