15 Feb 2024
The United Nations and the South African government have raised severe concerns about the possibility of an Israeli attack on Rafah, a densely populated city in southern Gaza.
UN aid chief Martin Griffiths stressed that an attack on Rafah would lead to “massive bloodshed” and worsen the already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres echoed the concerns, urging all parties to reach an agreement to avoid “catastrophic” consequences.
Following accusations of genocide against Israel by the South African government, their request to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to investigate the proposed Rafah attack was confirmed. The ICJ previously ruled that Israel must stop its army from committing genocide against Palestinians.
Both conflict negotiators and Egypt, a key regional player, have opposed the Rafah attack. Egypt has even threatened to cancel its decades-old peace agreement with Israel if the attack proceeds.
While the ICJ will assess the South African request, the situation remains tense. All parties involved are urged to seek peaceful solutions and prioritize civilian lives, avoiding further escalation and potential devastation.
