The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday rejected an emergency appeal filed by Pretoria on Monday.
South Africa asked the United Nations' highest judicial body to urgently examine Israel's announcement of a major offensive on Rafah, a city which has become the final refuge for displaced Palestinians in the south from the Gaza Strip.
Pretoria wanted the Hague Court to oppose “a further violation of rights” if necessary.
The ICJ ruled this Friday that the Jewish state had to respect the measures already ordered.
South Africa has already referred the matter to the highest court of the UN, accusing Israel of “genocide” in Gaza.
The judges, who did not comment at this stage on the question of whether or not Israel is actually committing genocide, nevertheless ordered it to prevent such acts.
“No additional measures”
“This alarming situation requires the immediate and effective implementation of the provisional measures indicated by the Court in its order of January 26, 2024, which are applicable to the entire Gaza Strip, including Rafah, and do not require the indication of additional measures,” said the ICJ.
The Court then ordered Israel to do everything to “prevent the commission of any acts falling within the scope of application” of the Genocide Convention.
The Jewish state must also “prevent and punish” incitement to commit genocide, and allow the provision of humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.
The Court's rulings are binding and cannot be appealed, but it has no means of enforcing its decisions.