President welcomes ICJ ruling on Israel

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has welcomed the ruling handed by the International Court of Justice directing Israel to do all it can to prevent the deaths of Palestinian civilians, punish incitement to genocide and provide the much-needed humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.

The ruling by the ICJ followed an appeal by South Africa, imploring the Haguebased international court to interdict Israel from committing crimes of genocide against defenceless Palestinians.

The President said this in a letter addressed to former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr Mahathir Bin Mohamad, who had earlier on written to him calling for decisive action against Israel for brutally killing innocent Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

In his letter, President Mnangagwa said he concurred with the former Malaysian PM’s call for action against Israel.

“I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated February 8, 2024, regarding the ongoing Israel attacks on Palestine. I noted with grief your genuine concerns on the current status quo of the conflict,” said President Mnangagwa. He said Zimbabwe has been following events in the Gaza Strip “closely since the commencement of the Israeli attacks on the Gaza strip, and also welcomes the decision of the International Court of Justice calling on Israel to take all possible measures to prevent the crime of genocide against the Palestinian people”.

“It is disheartening that Israel continues to attack the Gaza Strip with impunity and I am anguished by the bombings of Rafah refugee camp which is against International Humanitarian Law,” said President Mnangagwa.

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