THE HAGUE, January 12. /TASS/. All South African demands for precautionary measures, including the cessation of the military operation in the Gaza Strip, should be rejected, Israeli representative Tal Becker said, speaking at a hearing at the UN International Court of Justice.

In order for the genocide convention to retain its integrity and for the court to continue to play its role as defender of its provisions, Israel finds it necessary to reject all of South Africa's precautionary claims, the lawyer noted. These demands, Becker emphasized, are designed to deny Israel the ability to defend itself against an unprecedented terrorist threat under the law and to release the 136 hostages still held by Hamas.

The South African Republic filed a lawsuit against Israel for allegedly violating the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention) at the UN International Court of Justice in The Hague on December 29, 2023. The document asserts that the actions of the Israeli authorities can be characterized as genocide because they are being committed with the intent "to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and ethnic group." South Africa’s claim asks the court to rule Israel is in breach of its obligations under the genocide convention and must cease all hostilities in the Gaza Strip as well as pay reparations.

In addition, South Africa has demanded precautionary measures be taken to protect Palestinians from further, grave and irreparable violations of their rights and to ensure Israel’s compliance with its obligations under the convention. That is the focus of this hearing, which will be held January 11-12. On the first day, the South African representatives will be given three hours to present their position. On the second day, the same amount of time will be granted to the Israeli side.

The court’s verdict on the precautionary measures is expected to be delivered within a few weeks, and any ruling it makes will be binding; however, the authority has no mechanism to enforce them.