Egypt Backs ICJ Case Against Israel

Egypt has thrown their support behind South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which accuses Israel of genocide.

The news was revealed on Sunday, 12 May, as Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met with his Slovenian counterpart Tanja Fajon in Cairo, Egypt. The two parties discussed the ongoing Israel-Hamas war before calling for a cease-fire and the release of all hostages.

“The announcement of the intervention in this case comes in light of the expansion in scope and scale of Israeli violations against civilians in Gaza,” said Shoukry in an official statement.

Hama expressed their gratitude for the move in a statement released that evening before it encouraged “all countries around the world to take similar steps in support of the Palestinian cause by joining the lawsuit.”

South Africa renewed its call to the ICJ to order Israel to “immediately withdraw and cease its military offensive” in Rafah on Friday, 10 May. The southernmost Gaza city – where approximately 1.5 million Palestinians are currently seeking refuge – has been attracting more attention from Israeli military forces.

As of Monday, 13 May, Israeli ground troops entered the eastern portion of the city before seizing and shutting down the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing with Egypt.

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