Egypt officially backs South Africa’s Israel ‘genocide’ case at ICJ

EGYPT has backed South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted that Egypt’s move to intervene in the legal proceedings in motivated by the intensifying gravity and extent of Israeli assaults targeting Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip.

“These attacks include deliberate targeting of civilians, infrastructure destruction, forced displacement, and creating unbearable living conditions, leading to an unprecedented crisis in Gaza,” the statement said.

“These actions constitute a flagrant violation of international law, humanitarian law, and the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 regarding the protection of civilians during wartime.”

The statement further emphasised a call for Israel to adhere to its obligations outlined by the ICJ.

“This includes implementing interim measures issued by the International Court of Justice to ensure adequate access to humanitarian aid that meets the needs of Palestinians in Gaza and to refrain from committing any violations against the Palestinian people, who are protected under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.”

Since then, the ICJ has issued six emergency measures aimed at preventing acts of genocide against Palestinians.

These include preventing incitement to commit genocide, providing immediate humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, and requiring Israel to submit a report detailing its implementation of preventative measures outlined by the court.

Explaining what the impact of Egypt’s move could be, Professor Alison Phipps said: “This is very serious. Egypt’s move is important. It removes Egypt from possibility of acting as a ‘neutral mediator’”.

It comes after Palestinians reported heavy bombardment overnight into yesterday in the urban Jabaliya refugee camp and other areas in the northern Gaza Strip, which has suffered widespread devastation and been largely isolated by Israeli forces for months.