Israel rejects all requested provisional measures
Over at the ICJ, Israel’s lawyer Gilad Noam argues that all provisional measure sought by South Africa are without merit.
Specifically, he argues Israel should not be ordered to withdraw from Gaza because that would mean:
- More than 100 Israeli captives will remain trapped in the territoty
- Hamas will be left to operate unhindered
- Such an order would strip Israel of its rights under international law
- The court would be turning the Genocide Convention “into a sword rather than a shield”.
Bombardment relentless in Gaza during Israel’s ICJ remarks
Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, says what Israel was saying in court runs counter to what residents in Gaza are experiencing on the ground.
Abu Azzoum says UN officials confirmed no aid has been coming in through the Rafah and Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossings.
“That reflects how much Israel is working to erase truth and change the facts on the ground as it continues its relentless bombardment of Rafah and the Jabalia refugee camp,” he says.
Since midnight, the military has intensified its bombardment of the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza. The entire camp has been under Israeli fire as battles continue in the heart of the city. Videos from the military wing of Hamas show violent confrontations in the streets.
Israel defence at ICJ a ‘propaganda attack’
Marc Owen Jones, an associate professor of Middle East Studies and Digital Humanities at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, says Israel has used the ICJ hearing as a way to get out “dishonest talking points” on aid distribution in Gaza and to launch ad hominem attacks on South Africa.
“This is why a lot of what it says comes across as completely dishonest – because it is completely dishonest,” Owen Jones told Al Jazeera. “There is a difference between the reality on the ground and what Israel is trying to present to the international community”.
Owen Jones said he believes South Africa’s case is strong enough for the court to issue additional provisional measures in Gaza, especially given that humanitarian conditions in the besieged and bombarded territory have only worsened after the court’s earlier orders for Israel to facilitate better aid flow.
“It’s months later and the aid situation is desperate,” he said.
Judge’s question to Israel at ICJ hearing unusual
The main argument Israel was bringing today was that the fact that South Africa says that there is at least not enough humanitarian aid coming into Rafah is basically a lie, according to Israel.
And also they said that South Africa’s claim that Rafah is this last refuge for the people in Gaza is untrue. They say they acknowledge that there are a lot of civilians there, but they also say it’s a Hamas stronghold and they have to continue this military operation.
So basically rejecting South Africa’s request to the court to order Israel to stop its military offensive in Rafah and also withdraw from Gaza altogether.
It was an interesting hearing this time, because in the beginning Israel said it didn’t have enough time to prepare – there was far too short notice. There were only two speakers compared to a lot bigger team in January.
And then, also at the end of the hearing, one of the judges, a German judge, basically asked an additional question, which is also unusual. They asked Israel to explain what is happening in these so-called evacuation zones, specifically Al Mawasi. Is there any safety there and how will people get there?
So the court has now ordered Israel to respond to this specific question tomorrow, Saturday by 6 pm.
