Israel can still defend itself from specific attacks, says SA ICJ judge on Rafah order

South African International Court of Justice (ICJ) judge Dire Tladi (Picture supplied)

There is nothing stopping Israel from defending itself against Hamas, South African International Court of Justice (ICJ) judge Dire Tladi said on Friday, after the court ordered a ceasefire in Rafah.

The court told Israel to halt its “offensive” in Rafah, said Tladi in a declaration appended to Friday’s ruling, which “illustrates that legitimate defensive actions, within the strict confines of international law, to repel specific attacks, would be consistent with the Order of the Court.

“What would not be consistent is the continuation of the offensive military operation in Rafah, and elsewhere, whose consequences for the rights protected under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide has been devastating.”