Live blog: Israeli assault on Rafah disregards ICJ order -- South Africa

Source: TRT World
Author: Noureldein Ghanem

0413 GMT -- South Africa's deputy permanent representative to the UN has expressed concern over a possible Israeli assault on the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, which is home to more than 1 million people seeking refuge from Israel's war on the enclave.

"The announcement of expanded military operations in Rafah, which has turned into a de facto refugee camp, further perpetuates the displacement of Palestinians and threatens civilians' almost non-existent livelihoods," Marthinus van Schalkwyk told Tuesday a UN Security Council meeting on the maintenance of international peace and security.

This completely disregards the order of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued on January 26, he added.

His remarks came after South Africa asked the ICJ to urgently assess Israel's intentions to expand its military presence in Rafah, urging it to consider whether it required the court to use its power to prevent a further breach of Palestinians' rights.