Concern for southern Gaza civilians ahead of ICJ decision
The city of Khan Yunis, in southern Gaza, was the scene of intense fighting on Friday, the day on which the International Court of Justice must issue its first ruling on the complaint accusing Israel of “genocide” in this Palestinian territory. The highest judicial body of the United Nations, based in The Hague, has the power to order Israel to cease its military offensive against Gaza, although it does not have the means to guarantee its application. Pending this ruling, the international community expressed concern for the population of the southern Gaza Strip, especially Khan Younis, where tank fire killed 13 people in a UN agency shelter. This action provoked condemnation from the United States, France and Germany, which said it was “extremely concerned” about the “desperate situation” of civilians in Khan Yunis.