Rhino: South Africa on Tuesday condemned the Israeli attack on tents of displaced Palestinians in the Gaza city of Rafah, saying the current situation in the Gaza Strip justifies the filing of a genocide case against Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

‘The South African government joins the international community in condemning the deplorable and brutal attacks on innocent civilians after Israeli forces shelled tents housing displaced Palestinians in a designated safe area in Rafah,’ the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation said in a statement.

‘These horrific attacks came two days after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to halt its military offensive in Rafah.

ICJ judges last week upheld a request by South Africa to order Israel to halt its offensive in Rafah, a week after Pretoria demanded such action in a case accusing Israel of genocide.

‘We must ask how long the international community will continue to watch the extermination of an entire people before the world can unite to take urgent action against these brutal and sustained attacks,’ the ministry said.