Israel's trial sessions begin in The Hague South Africa: Its actions indicate intent to commit genocide

The International Court of Justice hearings have begun in the case brought by South Africa against Israel for committing the crime of “genocide” in the Gaza Strip.

During the session held in The Hague, the seat of the Court of Justice, the South African legal team pointed out that “the Palestinians are subjected to non-stop bombing wherever they go and are killed everywhere they turn,” noting that “Israel identifies safe areas for the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip before it bombs them.” ".

He stated that "the Israeli killings are very large and the bodies of Palestinians are buried in mass graves," and its actions indicate an intention to commit genocide, and this intention "is rooted in its conviction that the enemy is not Hamas, but rather the fabric of Palestinian life in Gaza."

He stressed that "hundreds of families in Gaza were completely wiped out and no one remained alive, while Israeli soldiers took pictures of themselves celebrating the destruction of cities and villages," stressing that "the aid entering the Gaza Strip does not suffice the needs of its residents, and more than 80 % of Gaza's population suffers from hunger.

He added: "Israel deliberately imposed conditions in Gaza to prevent the living and physical destruction of Palestinians, and deliberately creates conditions that deprive Palestinians of shelter and clean water," noting that "diseases and hunger are devastating the Strip, and those infected are deprived of the health care necessary to save their lives."

The South African legal team accused Israel of “committing sexual violence against women and children,” asserting that “what was proven by the facts in the Gaza Strip requires the intervention of this court.”

He pointed out that "leaders in the Israeli army used the term 'human animals' when talking about the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and members of the Knesset incited the erasure of Gaza from the globe, and Army Minister Gallant announced the imposition of a complete siege on the Strip."

The International Court of Justice hearings extend for two days, Thursday and Friday, from 12:00 to 15:00 Moscow time.

The hearing on the first day, today, Thursday, is devoted to the South African file through continuous interventions by members of the South African delegation, led by the Minister of Justice.

South Africa is scheduled to request an extension of the hearings, and first began submitting an urgent request to stop the Israeli military operation as part of the so-called urgent preventive measures to stop the causes of harm, which is within the jurisdiction of the court.

The court is expected to issue an urgent decision within a few days.

The South African legal team also presents before the court a set of evidence and evidence documented on videos, based on reports from international organizations and the United Nations.

On the second day, tomorrow, Friday, the Israeli side is scheduled to be heard, which focuses its defense on: preventing the court from issuing an urgent decision to stop the war, and dropping the character of genocide on the case.

Traffic through the Suez Canal declined by 28% in late 2023 due to Houthi attacks

International Monetary Fund spokeswoman Julie Kozak announced that traffic through the Suez Canal declined by 28% in late 2023 as a result of Houthi attacks on ships.

Kozak told reporters when they asked her to comment on the consequences of the Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea: “Transport through the Red Sea represented 10% of global trade movement. They (the attacks) increase the delivery time and transportation cost for exporters and importers, and this could lead to higher prices.” ".

According to Kozak, “Traffic through the Suez Canal decreased by 28% year-on-year during the ten days ending on January 2. At the same time, the volume of traffic through the Cape of Good Hope increased by 67%.” The IMF spokeswoman added: “We are monitoring this situation.” The problem closely.

It is noteworthy that following the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in the Gaza Strip, the Yemeni "Ansar Allah" group announced that it would attack Israeli territory and prevent ships linked to Israel from crossing the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, until Tel Aviv stops its military operation in the Gaza Strip.