THE HAGUE: Israel on Friday (Jan 12) rejected as “grossly distorted” accusations brought by South Africa on the UN’s prime courtroom that its army operation in Gaza is a state-led genocide marketing campaign towards the Palestinian inhabitants.
It known as on judges to dismiss South Africa’s request to halt its offensive, saying it might depart it defenceless.
South Africa, which filed the lawsuit on the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice (ICJ) in December, requested judges on Thursday to impose emergency measures ordering Israel to instantly halt the offensive.
It mentioned Israel’s aerial and floor offensive – which has laid waste to a lot of the slender coastal enclave and killed greater than 23,000 folks based on Gaza well being authorities – aimed to result in “the destruction of the inhabitants” of Gaza.
South Africa’s interpretation of occasions was “grossly distorted”, Israel’s overseas ministry’s authorized adviser Tal Becker instructed the courtroom.
“If there have been acts of genocide, they’ve been perpetrated towards Israel,” including: “Hamas seeks genocide towards Israel.”
Israel launched its all-out warfare in Gaza after a cross-border rampage on Oct 7 by militants from Hamas, which is sworn to Israel’s destruction. Israeli officers mentioned 1,200 folks had been killed, primarily civilians, and 240 taken hostage again to Gaza.
“The appalling struggling of civilians, each Israeli and Palestinian, is before everything the results of Hamas’ technique,” Becker mentioned, including that Israel had a proper to defend itself. Hamas denies Israeli allegations that its militants conceal amongst civilians.
“Israel is in a warfare of defence towards Hamas, not towards the Palestinian folks, to make sure that they don’t succeed,” Becker mentioned, including: “The important thing element of genocide, the intent to destroy a folks in entire or partly, is completely missing”
Palestinian backers with flags marched by The Hague and deliberate to observe proceedings on a large display in entrance of the Peace Palace. As Becker spoke, they chanted: “Liar! Liar!”
