Israel rejects genocide accusation – military strikes against Huthi
Published: Friday, Jan 12th 2024, 16:41
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Israel has rejected the accusation of genocide at the International Court of Justice. South Africa's claim is unfounded and must be dismissed, Israel's legal representative demanded at the World Court in The Hague on Friday. A first decision by the judges is expected before February 6.
Following military strikes by the US, the UK and other allies against Houthi positions in Yemen, several Arab states expressed concern about the security situation in the region. The attacks from the air and sea on Friday night were a reaction to repeated attacks by Houthi rebels on ships in the Red Sea, which are having an increasing impact on global trade.
The aim of the Houthis is to force an end to the Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip. The EU is discussing its own military operation to protect merchant shipping in the Red Sea.
Israel insists on right to self-defense
The hearings in the genocide trial in The Hague were accompanied by demonstrations by hundreds of supporters of Israel and the Palestinians. South Africa had accused Israel of violating the Genocide Convention.
The judges are now deliberating on an urgent application by South Africa to order an end to the military action. Israel rejected this request, as the country's right to self-defense was being taken away. A main trial on the genocide allegation could drag on for years.
Israel is responding to the worst massacre in its history with its operations. On October 7, terrorists from Hamas and other extremist groups killed more than 1200 people in Israel. Israel assumes that 136 hostages are still being held in the Gaza Strip. 25 of them are probably no longer alive.
UN Human Rights Office: Israel violates international humanitarian law
According to the UN Human Rights Office, Israel is violating the basic principles of international humanitarian law in the Gaza Strip. The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has already emphasized that violations of international humanitarian law increase the risk of being held accountable for war crimes, said a spokeswoman for the office in Geneva.
According to the latest figures from the Hamas-controlled health authority, 23,708 people have been killed and around 60,000 injured as a result of Israeli military operations since the start of the war. The figures cannot currently be independently verified.
Germany supports military strikes against Houthis
The military strikes against the Houthi are a reaction to the "illegal, dangerous and destabilizing" attacks by the rebels on ships in the Red Sea and are based on the right of self-defence, according to a joint statement by the alliance, which includes the USA, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Canada, Bahrain and Australia.
Nato referred to Iran's shared responsibility. The Houthi forces were supported, supplied and equipped by Iran, said Nato spokesman Dylan White on Friday.
Houthis announce retaliation and want to continue attacks
According to the Houthis, five of their members were killed and several injured in the attacks. According to the television station Al Massirah, they threatened to retaliate and announced that they would continue their attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea that were allegedly linked to Israel.
Russia condemned the strikes by the USA and its allies and requested a special session of the UN Security Council in New York on Friday. Iran also criticized the action and warned of growing insecurity and instability in the region.
EU plans its own military operation in the Red Sea
According to the German Press Agency, the EU's External Action Service has drawn up initial proposals for the launch of a new joint European military operation in the Red Sea. They include the deployment of warships and airborne early warning systems to the conflict area. The latter could be reconnaissance aircraft, for example. Germany supports the plans. At a meeting on January 22, the foreign ministers of the EU states are to discuss possible EU participation in the US initiative to secure commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The EU mission could then be launched as early as February.
Israeli army: Dozens of terrorists killed in Gaza Strip
According to its own account, Israel's army killed dozens of terrorists in the Gaza Strip. These included commanders involved in the massacre in Israel on October 7, the military announced on Friday. In the refugee district of Al-Maghasi in the center of the coastal area alone, soldiers reportedly killed 20 terrorists on Thursday. In Chan Junis in the south of the Gaza Strip, the army attacked a military compound of the Islamist Hamas from the air, among other things.
©Keystone/SDA
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