On the 223rd day of its relentless assault on the Gaza Strip, the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) persists in their aggression, utilising air, land, and sea avenues since October 7, 2023. Shockingly, the toll of this brutality stands at a devastating count of at least 35,272 Palestinians murdered and 79,205 injured, with countless more trapped under the rubble. The IOF’s onslaught has triggered a humanitarian catastrophe, leaving behind a trail of martyrs, wounded civilians, and critical infrastructure reduced to ruins.
Reports present a grim picture, indicating that over 10,000 bodies lie buried beneath the debris of demolished buildings and in mass graves, where victims of indiscriminate murders await recovery. What makes the tragedy worse is the Israeli occupation’s destruction of hospitals and schools that sheltered the displaced, while the civil defence lacks the necessary heavy machinery and equipment to retrieve these remains. Massacres against innocent Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip are continuing daily within the occupied Palestine territories.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) underscores the chilling reality, revealing that over 15,000 children have fallen victim to the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) since the commencement of the Israeli aggression on October 7, 2023. This mounting evidence has prompted outcry from nations like South Africa and various human rights organizations demanding urgent intervention from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to halt the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Yesterday, South Africa urged the ICJ to intervene and halt the assault on Rafah, highlighting the urgent need for action to prevent further atrocities.
During hearings at the Peace Palace in The Hague, South Africa presented compelling arguments, emphasizing the urgent need for a ceasefire throughout Gaza. Vaughan Lowe, representing South Africa, stressed that the campaign in Rafah represents the culmination of Gaza’s destruction and the plight of its people. He underscored the necessity for the ICJ to protect Palestinians as a national, ethnic, and racial group from the horrors of genocide.
Despite the ICJ’s legal authority, its ability to enforce rulings remains limited. Adila Hassim, a lawyer, passionately condemned the deliberate obstruction of humanitarian aid by Israel, emphasizing the urgent need for a permanent ceasefire to ensure compliance with existing court orders and prevent further suffering.
In the face of overwhelming evidence of genocide and ethnic cleansing, nations supporting the Israeli occupation exert pressure to obstruct justice. This politicization of international humanitarian law poses a grave threat to global peace and security, raising profound questions about the prospects for peace and stability in a world where powerful interests undermine justice for political gain.
