Netanyahu Expresses Strong Disapproval Of The ICJ Genocide Case
Netanyahu expresses strong disapproval of the ICJ genocide case, criticizing South Africa's case against Israel in Gaza, denouncing it as "hypocrisy and lies." This comes as Israeli forces begin withdrawing from the north of the enclave, leaving scenes of total devastation.
Author:Paula M. GrahamReviewer:Hajra ShannonJan 12, 20243.3K Shares129K Views
Netanyahu expresses strong disapproval of the ICJ genocide case, criticizing South Africa's case against Israel in Gaza, denouncing it as "hypocrisy and lies." This comes as Israeli forces begin withdrawing from the north of the enclave, leaving scenes of total devastation.
The three-month Israeli bombardment has resulted in significant destruction, with over 23,000 casualties and the displacement of nearly the entire population of 2.3 million Palestinians. The Israeli blockade has led to severe shortages of food, fuel, and medicine, contributing to a humanitarian catastrophe, according to the United Nations.
Israel contends that its actions are necessary for self-defense, aiming to eliminate Hamas, the Islamist group governing Gaza. The conflict escalated after Hamas fighters entered Israeli communities on Oct. 7, resulting in 1,200 casualties and 240 hostages. Israel accuses Hamas of operating among the civilian population, which the fighters deny, and attributes any subsequent harm to Palestinian civilians to them.
South Africa has brought the case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, accusing Israel of violating the 1948 genocide convention. This convention, established in the aftermath of the Holocaust, mandates all countries to prevent the recurrence of such crimes.
"Israel has a genocidal intent against the Palestinians in Gaza," Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, advocate of the High Court of South Africa, told the court in the Hague. "The intent to destroy Gaza has been nurtured at the highest level of state."
South Africa has requested the court to issue a preliminary order, urging Israel to cease hostilities immediately while the court considers the full merits of the case in the upcoming months.
Responding emphatically, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his disapproval, stating, "The hypocrisy of South Africa screams to the heavens."
“„We are fighting terrorists, we are fighting lies. Today we saw an upside-down world. Israel is accused of genocide while it is fighting against genocide.- Benjamin Netanyahu
Israel's foreign ministry has accused South Africa of acting as the legal arm for the Hamas terrorist organization in a case it deems to be built on "false and baseless claims." The White House has also dismissed the genocide allegations as unfounded.
Meanwhile, Palestinians express hope that the court's intervention could bring an end to the ongoing conflict. In Rafah, southern Gaza, where members of the al-Arjany family were killed overnight, neighbors mourn as the bodies are laid out outside a morgue. Khamis Kelab, a resident, tenderly cradles the smallest of the three children wrapped in shrouds, grieving for the lost infant.
"To the ICJ: what is the fault of this baby? What did this girl do? What crime did she commit? Was she a terrorist? Did this baby fire rockets?" he said.
"She was inside a tent, in the freezing cold, she was hit by a strike, this baby is just a few days old, you people."
Late on Thursday, the Palestinian Red Crescent reported that a house in Rafah was targeted in an Israeli bombardment, resulting in the tragic loss of nine lives.
Scorched Ruins
Following the commencement of the New Year, Israel has declared a new phase in the conflict, signaling a reduction of forces in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, where the offensive initially started. However, the situation has not seen a corresponding decrease in violence, with fighting intensifying in southern areas.
While the northern regions experience a relative lull, residents have cautiously begun returning to devastated cities, only to find landscapes resembling moonscapes with little evidence of their former homes. Yousef Fares, a freelance journalist, documented his walk through a desolate area surrounded by charred ruins, once a bustling part of Gaza City that housed nearly a million people. In this eerie setting, a few civilians could be seen, some navigating the terrain on bicycles over makeshift tracks across the mud.
“„All the houses you see are destroyed, completely or partially. We are now at the Tuffah old cemetery, which is over 100 years old. All those graves were exhumed, they were run over by the Israeli bulldozers and tanks. People are coming from various areas of Gaza City to search for the bodies of their sons.- Yousef Fares
While affirming Israel's right to self-defense, Washington has urged its ally to reduce the scale of the military campaign, enhance efforts to safeguard civilians and uphold the prospect of a future independent Palestinian state.
During a recent visit to the region, Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israeli and Palestinian officials, as well as leaders from neighboring Arab states. While defending Israel's actions against Hamas, Blinken advocated for collaboration with the Palestinian Authority (PA), which acknowledges Israel's existence.
Blinken emphasized that offering a path to a Palestinian state is crucial for stabilizing the broader region, isolating Iran and its proxies. During his visit to Egypt, he was briefed on mediation efforts by Egypt and Qatar to broker a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel and secure the release of over 130 Israeli hostages reportedly still held in Gaza.
On Thursday, relatives of the hostages gathered by the Gaza fence, taking turns using a microphone to convey messages of love and support in the hope that the captives would hear them.
"Omer, can you hear us? " shouted Orna Neutra, mother of 22-year-old hostage Omer Neutra.
"We're here. We're really close to you. We're fighting for you every single day," she shouted, her voice breaking with emotion. She was holding a placard with a picture of her son.
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Paula M. Graham
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Hajra Shannon
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