Concern for civilians in Gaza, expected decision at ICJ

Concerns are growing over the fate of civilians caught up in fighting between the Israeli army and Hamas in Gaza, while the highest UN court must rule on emergency measures sought by South Africa, which accuses Israel of genocide. Le Figaro This Friday, January 26, takes stock of the conflict in the Middle East.

In Gaza, “human recruits” were forced to flee Khan Younes

In the south of the Gaza Strip, thousands of civilians have fled in recent days from the major city of Khan Younes, which has come under relentless Israeli fire and has become the epicenter of the war.

In Rafah, a few kilometers further south, thousands of displaced people are crowded together in desperate conditions, congregating in a very small area opposite the closed border with Egypt, according to an AFP reporter at the site. Many now fear that Israeli troops will continue their offensive in the city.

“Human recruitment forced to flee Khan Younes to end at Egyptian border”.Commissioner General of the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini said last night. “The Endless Quest for Safety” For the population of Gaza, trapped by war in the small territory encircled by Israel.

According to Hamas’ health ministry, 183 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours, while intense fighting continues near Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, one of the region’s largest.

On Thursday evening, Hamas accused the Israeli army of killing 20 civilians waiting for the delivery of humanitarian aid outside Gaza City in the north of the territory. On Wednesday, according to the agency, 13 people were killed in a tank fire in front of an UNRWA shelter housing thousands of displaced people in Khan Yunis.

After the United States, there is France “penalty” These shots are called on Israel, without direct accusation, for “Comply with international law”. Germany declared itself “extremely concerned” there “Disappointing Situation” Citizens in Khan Younes.

The army claims to have “surrounded” Khan Younes, the hometown of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in the Gaza Strip, is believed to be the architect of the October 7 attack.

ICJ decision expected

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) can order Israel to halt its incursion into Palestinian territory that began on October 7 with the Islamist movement’s bloody attack on its soil, but it has no means of enforcing its decisions. Faced with a heavy human toll and the continuation of hostilities, South Africa occupied the ICJ, arguing that Israel was violating the United Nations Convention on Genocide, which was signed in 1948 after the Shoah.

Without ruling on the merits, the ICJ must render its decision on urgent measures to protect Palestinians in Gaza on Friday afternoon and could order Israel to halt its offensive. But if its orders are legally binding, the court has no way of enforcing them.

Hamas, considered a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union and Israel in particular, committed on Thursday to respect the cease-fire if requested by this court in The Hague, but on the condition that Israel also abides by it.

The Israeli government criticizes this legal process, but is engaged in negotiations for a new cease-fire agreement in Gaza that would provide, among other things, for the release of Palestinian hostages and prisoners held in Israel.

According to American Daily The Washington Post and information site axios, CIA chief William Burns will travel to Europe to meet with his Israeli and Egyptian counterparts and the prime minister of Qatar in hopes of negotiating such an agreement.