Lerato Mbhiza
THE Oral observations at the International Court of Justice at Peace Palace in Hague, Netherlands heard Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh of the South African legal team on Thursday, said Gaza has become a place of death because every day, ten Palestinian children will have one or both legs amputated, many without anaesthetics.
All this was happening while ambulances and medics were attacked and killed, she argued, adding that 311 healthcare professionals have been killed since 7 October.
“Without a halt in the Israeli military operation, aid cannot get to the people of Gaza. Without a halt in the military operation in Gaza, there will be no end to the extreme situation facing Palestinian civilians”.
Ghrálaigh is arguing about why it is urgent for the ICJ to indicate provisional measures to suspend Israel’s war in Gaza. “The situation could not be more urgent,” she implored.
Ghrálaigh also referred to disturbing evidence about women being forced to undergo Caesarean sections without anaesthetics “in barely functioning hospitals described as scenes from a horror movie”, with many having to undergo unnecessary hysterectomies “in an attempt to save their lives”.
The Gazan population is “besieged, trapped and terrified” with nowhere safe to go”.
Ghrálaigh said it would be a “complete departure” from the ICJ’s own jurisprudence for the court not to indicate the provisional measures that South Africa is seeking, i.e. the suspension of Israel’s war on Gaza. “The imminent risk of death, harm, and destruction that Palestinians face today and that they risk every day…on any view justifies, indeed compels the indication of provisional measures.
“Some might say that the very reputation of international law, its ability and willingness to protect all people equally, hangs in the balance”.
Ghrálaigh ends with a picture of a whiteboard in a hospital now destroyed, with the inscription: “Whoever stays until the end, will tell the story. We did what we could. Remember us”.
She then shows another picture with the board destroyed after a strike on the hospital.
Earlieri advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi said South Africa is not the only country to draw attention to Israel’s “genocidal rhetoric” against Palestinians in Gaza as several groups have warned that what is happening in Gaza is a genocide in the making.
“Israel has a genocidal intent against Palestinians in Gaza. This is evident in how systematic the military attacks are. There is also a clear pattern, with the bombing and sniping on men, women and children,” said Ngcukaitobi.
This is a developing story
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