International Relations

What did the International Court of Justice say to Israel on the ongoing Israeli attack in Gaza?

Friday, January 26, 2024

The International Court of Justice has issued an order on Friday, January 26, 2024, against Israel on charges of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

South Africa last year filed an appeal against Israel in the International Court of Justice on 29 December 2023.

Hearing on this matter was going on for the last few days.

On Friday, January 26, 2024, the ICJ issued its order in this case.

The International Court of Justice has said in its interim order that Israel should make every possible effort to protect Palestinians from harm in this conflict.

The International Court of Justice has said that Israel should ensure that the Israeli army does not carry out activities that amount to genocide.

The International Court of Justice has said that Israel should stop any public statement that amounts to incitement to genocide in Gaza and decide on its punishment.

South Africa expressed happiness over the decision of the International Court of Justice, what did Israel say?

South African lawyers have expressed happiness over this decision from the International Court of Justice.

South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor has said that "I wanted the order to include the word pause." But I am satisfied with the guidelines given.

A journalist asked Naledi Pandor of South Africa whether she expected Israel to comply with the order.

On this Naledi Pandor said that she never expected that this would be possible.

At the same time, Mark Regev, top advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, has said that South Africa did not succeed in achieving its objectives.

According to BBC International Editor Jeremy Wobben, what the judge said is a victory for South African lawyers and a defeat for Israel.

Jeremy Wobben has written - 'The judge did not say that you have to cease fire because under International Humanitarian Law, war is legally acceptable in the right circumstances and in the right legal framework. But what the judge has said means that under these guidelines Israel will have to make major changes in the way it fights wars.'

According to news agency Reuters, Palestinian Minister of the Palestinian Authority, which rules the West Bank, Riyad al-Maliki has expressed happiness over this decision.

Riyad al-Maliki has said that the ICJ judges, after examining the law and the facts, have ruled in favor of international law and humanity.

What allegations did South Africa make against Israel?

South Africa, in its 84-page appeal filed at the ICJ, said Israel's actions were genocidal in nature as their intention was to cause the maximum destruction of the Palestinian people in Gaza.

It said acts of genocide include killing, inflicting serious mental and physical harm on the Palestinian people, and creating conditions aimed at "their collective destruction."

According to the appeal filed in the ICJ, the intentions of genocide are also reflected in the statements of Israeli officials.

According to Juliet M., a law lecturer at the University of South Australia, South Africa's petition was 'very comprehensive' and 'very carefully written'.

What is genocide?

This term was coined in 1943 by the Jewish Polish lawyer Raphael Lemkin. He linked the Greek word jenos, meaning race or clan, with the Latin word cid (kill).

Witnessing the brutality of the mass genocide of Jews during World War II, Dr Lemkin campaigned to criminalize genocide under international law.

Every member of Dr. Lemkin's family except his brother died in the Holocaust.

Due to the efforts of Dr. Lemkin, the United Nations Genocide Convention was accepted in December 1948, which came into force in January 1951.

Article 2 of the United Nations Genocide Convention defines genocide as any act committed with intent to destroy, in part or in whole, a national, racial, cultural or religious group.

- Killing members of a group.
- Causing serious physical and mental harm to members of a group.
- Deliberately forcing a group to live in such conditions that cause their partial or total physical harm.
- Taking such steps whose purpose is to prevent the birth of children in a group.
-Forcibly sending children from one group to another group.
- All member states that have signed the Convention have a common responsibility to prevent genocide from occurring and to punish those who commit it.

Israel sued for genocide in Gaza, what did the International Court say?

Friday, January 26, 2024

On Friday, January 26, 2024, the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, heard the allegations against Israel for committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

This case was filed by South Africa in the International Court of Justice.

The International Court of Justice considered nine emergency measures proposed by South Africa. But she will not consider South Africa's accusations of genocide against Israel. Israel has been denying these allegations.

The proposed steps considered by the court include Israel's immediate suspension of military operations in Gaza.

Judge Joan Donoghue said the court was 'gravely concerned' about the deaths and suffering.

Judge Joan Donoghue said the scope of the current case was limited.

During the hearing, the judge also mentioned Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The judge said that some of the allegations against Israel are within the provisions of the Genocide Convention.

The judge said that any party to the Genocide Convention can file a case against another country, so South Africa has the legal basis to file this case.

During the hearing, the judge also quoted the statement of UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths that 'Gaza has become a byword for death and despair.'

Israeli and Palestinian supporters have also gathered outside the International Court of Justice.

The hearing of the case filed against Israel started in the International Court of Justice from 11 January 2024.

South Africa accuses Israel of genocide

South Africa filed an 84-page appeal with the International Court of Justice, saying Israel's actions were genocidal in the nature of their intent to cause the maximum extermination of the Palestinian people in Gaza.

It says acts of genocide include killing, causing serious mental and physical harm to the Palestinian people, and creating conditions that "aim for their collective destruction."

According to the appeal filed in the ICJ, the intentions of genocide are also reflected in the statements of Israeli officials.

What did Israel say on the charge of genocide?

Israeli legal adviser Tal Baker told the International Court of Justice that South Africa was distorting the truth and presenting "a broader narrative than the truth" about the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Opening his arguments at the International Court of Justice on 12 January 2024, Tal Baker acknowledged that the suffering civilians are facing in Gaza is a "tragedy".

However, Tal Baker also said that the Palestinian extremist organization Hamas wants to "increase the damage caused to Israel and the Palestinians" while "Israel wants to reduce it".

Tal Baker said, "It is sad that South Africa has presented a grossly distorted factual and legal picture to the court. The entire case is a distorted and out of context description of the reality of the current conflict. It has been deliberately created on that basis.''

Genocide case against Israel, what did the International Court of Justice say in the decision?

Friday, January 26, 2024

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has not agreed to South Africa's request for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, which is under Israeli attack.

This is something that may disappoint South Africans and the Palestinian people.

However, the majority of the 17 judges hearing the case said Israel should do everything within its power to prevent deaths, physical or mental harm to Palestinians.

The International Court of Justice also said that Israel should not take any steps that hinder Palestinian women from giving birth to children.

This is not the final decision of the court on the genocide. It appears that it will take several years to take a decision on this. Israel now has to take a decision on this.

ICJ decisions are binding but there is no systematic system to implement them. Diplomatic efforts are ongoing at the international level for a ceasefire.

Efforts are also being made to improve the delivery of humanitarian aid in Gaza, so Israel can argue before the court that it is already taking steps on the demands of the court.

What did India say on the allegations of killing two Pakistani citizens?

Thursday, January 25, 2024

India's Foreign Ministry has reacted to Pakistan's allegations of killing two Pakistani citizens.

Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We have seen some media reports on the statement given by the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan. This is a new attempt by Pakistan to run false anti-India propaganda."

In fact, in Islamabad, Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Mohammad Cyrus Sajjad Qazi said on Thursday, January 25, 2024 that there is 'strong evidence' of the involvement of Indian agents in the killing of two Pakistani citizens in Sialkot and Rawalakot.

On this, the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs of India said, “As the world knows, Pakistan has been a hub of terrorism, organized crime and illegal activities for a long time.''

The statement said, "India and many other countries have publicly warned Pakistan that it will itself be the victim of this terrorism and violence by its own nature. Pakistan will reap what it has sown. Blame others for its wrongdoings. Madhna is neither justified nor is it a solution.''

Pakistan claims Indian agents killed Shahid Latif and Mohammad Riaz

Thursday, January 25, 2024

Pakistan has accused India of killing two Pakistani citizens in Pakistani territory.

In Islamabad, Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Mohammad Cyrus Sajjad Qazi said on Thursday, 25 January 2024, that there is 'strong evidence' of the involvement of Indian agents in the killing of two Pakistani citizens in Sialkot and Rawalkot.

Pakistan has termed these cases as cases of murder by giving betel nuts.

Pakistan Foreign Secretary Mohammad Cyrus Sajjad Qazi alleged, "On October 11, 2023, a person named Shahid Latif was murdered outside a mosque in Sialkot. An Indian agent named Yogesh Kumar conspired to commit this murder. Is living in a third country. He hired a person named Mohammad Umer.''

Shahid Latif is considered the mastermind of the Pathankot attack in India.

In 2016, seven Indian soldiers were killed in the terrorist attack in Pathankot. All the terrorists involved in the attack were also killed.

Pakistani Foreign Secretary claimed that Mohammad Omar formed a team of five people and they failed in the first attempt but on October 11, 2023, they killed Latif.

Qazi told that Mohammad Umer was arrested on 12 October 2023, he was trying to abscond from Pakistan.

Pakistan's Foreign Secretary alleged that the second murder was of a person named Mohammad Riaz.

Mohammad Riaz was a Kashmiri terrorist who was shot dead in a mosque in Rawalakot, Pakistan-administered Kashmir on 8 September 2023. Mohammad Riaz was also known as Abu Qasim Kashmiri.

Pakistan has claimed that security officials arrested the accused named Mohammad Abdullah Ali on 15 September 2023.

Pakistan Foreign Ministry official said that Mohammad Abdullah Ali was also arrested from Jinnah International Airport and during interrogation it was revealed that Indian agents Ashok Kumar Anand and Yogesh Kumar were involved.

Pakistan has said that there are more such cases, the investigation of which is going on.

Maldives and China sign 20 major agreements including tourism cooperation

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Amid the ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Maldives, on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping held a meeting with Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu after which the two countries signed 20 "major" agreements including tourism cooperation.

Both countries announced to further expand their bilateral relations.

Regarding this meeting, Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu said that he is honored to make his first official visit to China and he is happy that he is the first foreign political guest of the year for China.

"Today, 20 major agreements were signed between the Government of Maldives and the Government of China in the presence of both Presidents," the Maldives President's Office wrote on X.

The agreements signed include strengthening investment in tourism cooperation, blue economy, disaster management and digital economy. Along with this, China will also provide grant assistance to Maldives, but the amount has not been given.

Apart from this, the agreements also include accelerating construction works through China's Belt and Road Initiative, housing project at Fushidiggaru Falhu, building factories for fishery products, re-development of road development projects in Male and Vilimale.

According to China's Xinhua News Agency, Xi Jinping stressed that China respects and supports the Maldives and will help them in their development agenda in the national interest of the Maldives. At the same time, China stands firmly with Maldives in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national dignity.

India-Maldives dispute

Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu is on a five-day visit to China at a time when a diplomatic row has arisen between India and Maldives.

In fact, recently two ministers of Maldives made objectionable remarks against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After this, on Monday, January 8, 2024, officials of both the countries were summoned at the diplomatic level.

Maldives High Commissioner to India Ibrahim Sahib was summoned. India's High Commissioner to Maldives Munu Mahawar met Ambassador at Large in Male Naseer Mohammed.

The Muizzu government has suspended three deputy ministers for their derogatory posts on social media.

On Tuesday, January 9, 2024, Muizzu had said in China that China was the largest country in terms of tourism in Maldives before the Covid pandemic and it should 'intensify efforts' to take back this place.

At present, in terms of tourism, most Indian tourists go to Maldives.

What did President Mohammad Muizzu say after meeting Xi Jinping?

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Maldives President Mohammed Muizzu and China's President Xi Jinping have met and held talks amid the diplomatic dispute with India.

President Mohammad Muizzu was welcomed on the red carpet and given a 21-gun salute.

Giving information about the meeting between the two leaders, China's official news agency Xinhua has written, "The two heads of state have announced to upgrade bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership."

Chinese President Xi Jinping said, "Under the new circumstances, China-Maldives relations have a historic opportunity to build on past achievements."

Muizzu said he was honored to make his first state visit to China along with several important Cabinet ministers and become the first foreign head of state to be hosted by China this year, which fully reflects the importance the two sides have in bilateral relations. How much importance do you give to development?

President Mohammad Muizzu is on a five-day state visit to China.

Israeli army moves towards refugee camps, 1.5 lakh Palestinians leave central Gaza

Friday, December 29, 2023

The United Nations has said that about 1.5 lakh Palestinians have been forced to leave central Gaza due to the Israeli army's advance towards refugee camps located in the Gaza Strip.

Eyewitnesses and armed factions of Hamas have said that Israeli army tanks have reached the eastern end of the Burez camp.

The Israeli army recently launched an offensive targeting Nussirat and Maghazi camps along Burez.

The Health Ministry of Hamas-run Gaza claimed on Thursday, 28 December 2023, that several dozen people were killed in Israeli shelling.

On the other hand, Egypt has said that it has presented a three-phase proposal aiming at a ceasefire.

A Hamas delegation has reached Egypt's capital Cairo to respond to this proposal.

Meanwhile, the United Nations made several allegations against Israel in a report released on Thursday, 28 December 2023.

The report said a surge in attacks by armed settlers on Israeli settlements is leading to large-scale displacement of Palestine's pastoral community. The ongoing discriminatory restrictions on movement are severely affecting people's daily lives and the local economy

In this report, the United Nations urged Israel to stop 'unlawful killings' of Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.

Russian air strikes on several Ukrainian cities: 18 people killed, more than 130 injured

Friday, December 29, 2023

Since the morning of Friday, December 29, 2023, 18 people have been reported killed and 130 people have been injured in several air strikes carried out by Russia on Ukraine.

James Waterhouse, Ukraine correspondent in Kiev, said the massive destruction caused by simultaneous missile attacks has never been seen before.

Ukraine's army said that Russia had attacked it with 158 missiles and drones.

Russia struck first with an Iran-made Shahid drone, followed by 55 cruise missiles, 14 ballistic missiles and five aeroballistic missiles. Apart from this, some anti-radar missiles were also fired.

Ukrainian military commander in chief Valery Zalunzhny said Ukraine shot down 27 out of 36 drones and 87 missiles.

Ukrainian police said in their Telegram post that five people were killed and 26 injured in Dnieper, three died and 13 civilians were injured in Kharkiv, four people were killed and 12 were injured in Zaporizhia, two were killed and 27 were injured in Odessa, some People are feared buried under the debris, one dead and 27 injured in Lviv and three dead and 22 injured in Kiev.

Earlier this week, Ukraine had attacked and sunk a Russian landing ship in Crimea, it is believed that Russia has taken this action in response to the same.

Ukrainian President Zelensky said that Russia used almost every type of weapons in this attack.

The US Ambassador to Ukraine has said that Ukraine needs more help to fight such horrors in 2024.

Israel-Gaza war: UN report makes serious allegations against Israel of human rights violations

Thursday, December 28, 2023

The United Nations has released a report detailing massive raids, arrests, killings and human rights violations in the West Bank.

The United Nations has also urged Israel to stop 'unlawful killings' of Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk said he was deeply saddened by Israel's military tactics, use of disproportionate force and restrictions on people's movement.

The report released by the United Nations on Thursday, December 28, 2023, makes several allegations against Israel. It says the arbitrary arrests, detention and torture of large numbers of people and ill-treatment by Israeli forces raise concerns about collective punishment. A surge in attacks by armed settlers on Israeli settlements is leading to mass displacement of Palestine's herding community. The ongoing discriminatory restrictions on movement are severely affecting people's daily lives and the local economy.

Releasing the report, Volker Turk said that its results are deeply disturbing and that cases of human rights violations in conflicts are not new but 'the level of violence and repression being resorted to has not been seen in the last few years'.

Israeli army admitted mistake

Thursday, December 28, 2023

Regarding the Christmas Eve bombing on December 24, 2023, which targeted the Maghazi refugee camp, Israeli military officials have admitted that the wrong weapon choice resulted in excessive civilian casualties.

According to the United Nations, at least 86 people have been killed in this Israeli bombing that took place on Sunday, 24 December 2023 and the number of casualties may increase further.

An Israeli military official told state broadcaster Kan News that the wrong weapon was used for the attack, resulting in greater civilian casualties than could have been avoided.

The Israeli army expressed 'regret' to the BBC regarding this incident.

The UN Human Rights Office said that on Sunday, 24 December 2023, Israeli forces bombed 50 sites in central Gaza, including the Maghazi camp.

Bombs fell on two residential buildings in Maghazi camp, killing most of the people.

50 people killed in Israeli bombing in Gaza, 210 people died in 24 hours

Thursday, December 28, 2023

The Hamas-run health ministry said 210 Palestinians had died in Gaza in the past 24 hours.

According to the Health Ministry, at least 50 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli bombardment in the Beit Lahiya north of Gaza, Khan Yunis in the south and Maghazi refugee camps in the center on the morning of Thursday, December 28, 2023.

The Hamas-affiliated Safa News Agency reported that a house in Maghazi was hit by a bombardment, killing several people. Four houses in Beit Lahiya were completely destroyed.

Many people have also lost their lives due to the bombing around Al-Amal Hospital in Khan Younis.

According to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, 21,320 Palestinians have been killed and 55,603 injured since the war began in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli youth sentenced to jail for refusing to join the army

Thursday, December 28, 2023

An 18-year-old Israeli youth who refused to join the army has been prosecuted and sentenced to 30 days in a military prison.

According to Israeli media reports, Tal Mitnik lives in Tel Aviv. He went to a military recruitment center and announced his decision not to join the army.

He cited the Israel-Hamas war and occupation as a protest against his conscience.

To protest against conscience means that a person refuses something based on his or her beliefs.

He is the first person since the Gaza war began to be punished for 'deciding not to join the army due to his conscience'.

If he continues his opposition to military service, his detention could be extended.

Israeli minister warned Hezbollah?

Thursday, December 28, 2023

According to James Gregory of BBC News, an Israeli minister has warned that the Israeli military will take action to expel Hezbollah from the Lebanese border if Hezbollah attacks continue.

Benny Gantz said Israel's military would intervene if the world and the Lebanese government did not stop extremists' firing on northern Israel.

He said that time is now running out to find a diplomatic solution.

Firing on the border between Israel and Lebanon has intensified since the war between Hamas and Israel that began on October 7, 2023.

This is also increasing concerns that the war in Gaza could spread to the entire region.

"The situation on Israel's northern border must change," Gantz said at a press conference on Wednesday, December 27, 2023.

“Time is running out for a diplomatic solution, if the world and the Lebanese government do not take action to stop the firing on the northern part of Israel and drive Hezbollah away from the border, then the IDF (Israeli army) will do it.''

This week there has been an increase in rocket attacks and armed drone attacks from Hezbollah, with Israel also responding to these attacks.

Lebanese state media reported on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, that an Israeli airstrike killed a Hezbollah fighter and two of his relatives.

Hezbollah said in a statement that one of the victims, Ibrahim Bazi, was an Australian citizen visiting his family.

More than 100 people have been killed in this conflict in Lebanon. Most of them are Hezbollah fighters. But the dead also included civilians including three journalists.

All hospitals in northern Gaza closed due to Israeli attacks: WHO

Friday, December 22, 2023

The situation in Gaza has worsened due to retaliatory action after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

According to the latest report, twenty thousand Palestinians have died so far in these attacks.

Along with this, the health system in Northern Gaza has come to a complete standstill.

The World Health Organization has said that there are no hospitals left in northern Gaza that are functional.

Fierce fighting is also going on in the south of Gaza, where Israel has asked Palestinians to vacate the area around Khan Yunis city.

Dr. Richard Pipercon, representative of the World Health Organization in the Palestinian territory, has explained in detail about the situation in Gaza.

What did the World Health Organization say?

The World Health Organization has said there are about 36 hospitals across Gaza, of which only nine are functioning. All of these are in the southern part of Gaza. There is no hospital in the North that is functioning.

Al-Ahli was the only hospital left that was functioning in some way, but it too was no longer accepting new patients.

The situation is similar in Al-Shifa, Al-Awda and Al-Shahaba hospitals.

"Only the structure remains of Al Ahli Hospital," the World Health Organization said. Two days ago, this was the only hospital in northern Gaza where surgeries for the injured were being conducted and a large number of people were coming to the emergency ward here.

But now the operation theater here is not functioning, because there is neither fuel, nor electricity, nor medical supplies, nor health workers or doctors and surgeons.

Now this hospital has completely stopped working, now there are only a few people here, who are hiding their heads under its roof.