Egypt has announced its decision to support South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. The move comes in response to the escalating severity and scope of Israeli attacks against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip.
The government of Egypt cited various violations of international law, humanitarian law, and the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 by Israel. These violations include deliberate targeting of civilians, infrastructure destruction, forced displacement, and the creation of unbearable living conditions, resulting in an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Egypt has called on the UN Security Council and other influential international parties to take immediate action to halt these violations and Israel's military offensive in the city of Rafah. The country has also refused to coordinate with Israel regarding the Rafah crossing due to what it deems as unacceptable Israeli escalation.
Rafah Crossing and Humanitarian Concerns
Before the Israeli assault, nearly a quarter of the aid reaching Gaza passed through the Rafah crossing. Egypt has expressed concerns about the serious humanitarian perils faced by the more than one million Palestinians in Rafah in the event of a major Israeli military offensive in the city.
According to the UN's main relief agency, an estimated 360,000 people have fled Rafah over the past week amid the escalating tensions and violence in the region.