Amid the unprecedented loss of lives and infrastructure in war-torn Gaza, the International Court of Justice in The Hague will on Thursday hold a hearing in a case filed by South Africa in December last year asserting Israel’s war against the Palestinian militant movement Hamas was a violation of the 1948 Genocide Convention.
It came after reports claimed Israel’s fervid attacks in Gaza have so far claimed more than 20,000 lives.
"Tomorrow, the State of Israel will appear before the International Court of Justice to dispel South Africa's absurd blood libel, as Pretoria gives political and legal cover to the Hamas Rapist Regime," Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy said in a TV interview.
The hearing will consider South Africa’s request, which involves ordering Israel to suspend its military operation in Gaza.
However, against the claim of South Africa, Israel has said Hamas committed genocide by attacking their territory on October 7. “On October 7, Hamas committed an act of genocide. It has spent every day since threatening to do it again and again.Many people are trying to make you forget that, to cover up its crimes.But we will never forget.We will never forgive.And we vow: never again,” Levy said in an X (formerly Twitter) post.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a video message said they had no intention to permanently occupy Gaza or displace its local population. He categorically said Israel was fighting Hamas terrorists and not the Palestinian population.
“I want to make a few points absolutely clear:Israel has no intention of permanently occupying Gaza or displacing its civilian population.Israel is fighting Hamas terrorists, not the Palestinian population, and we are doing so in full compliance with international law,” he said.
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Massive unrest erupted in the Middle East after Hamas on October 7, in a surprise attack, showered as many as 5,000 missiles in Israeli territory. Besides, Hamas militants rampaged across Israeli cities and abducted over 250 civilians. Responding to the misadventure, Israel launched a counteroffensive in Gaza and the territory was turned into rubble. As per the Palestinian health department, over 23,000 people have been killed so far in military operations launched by the IDF.