The Cuban Foreign Ministry has announced in a statement, the country’s decision to join South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over Israel’s alleged genocide in the Gaza Strip.
Countries including Chile and Spain have also joined South Africa in its case against Israel for alleged genocide in its war on the Palestinian people in Gaza.
The ministry said that Cuba wants to “contribute as much as possible … to put an end to the genocide committed against the Palestinian people.”
“Israel, with total impunity, protected by the complicity of the US government, ignores its obligations as an Occupying Power under the Fourth Geneva Convention,” the ministry said.
“Genocide, apartheid, forced displacement and collective punishment have no place in today’s world, nor can they be tolerated by the international community. Justice and respect for the UN Charter and international law must prevail,” it added.
Meanwhile, the death toll in Gaza from Israel’s attacks since October 7, 2023, has gone up to 37,551.
Gaza’s Health Ministry added that another 85,911 Palestinians have been wounded in these attacks.
According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, Israeli attacks killed 101 Palestinians and wounded 169 in the latest 24-hour reporting period.
“A number of victims are still under the rubble and on the roads, and ambulance and civil defence crews cannot reach them,” the Health Ministry said.
This is the highest daily death toll recorded in the enclave by the ministry since June 8, 2024, when Israeli forces killed at least 274 Palestinians to free four Israeli captives in the Nuseirat refugee camp.
At least 552 Palestinians have also been killed and more than 5,200 wounded in attacks by Israeli forces and settlers across the occupied West Bank since October 7, 2023.
Israeli forces have also made at least 9,300 arrests in the same period.
Israel Responsible For Restoring Order In Gaza
According to UN Spokesperson, Farhan Haq, it is Israel’s responsibility to restore public order and safety in Gaza so aid can be delivered.
“As the occupying power, it is incumbent upon the Israeli authorities to restore public order and safety as far as possible and facilitate safe humanitarian access so that assistance reaches civilians in need,” Haq said.
He asserted that the risk of crime has “effectively prevented humanitarian access” to critical areas, including Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom).
Haq’s position was in response to the Israeli military announcing on Sunday, June 16, 2024, that there would be a daily daytime pause in its attacks along a key road in southern Gaza that the UN and aid groups use to access the Kerem Abu Salem crossing from Israel.
However, former Mossad Chief, Tamir Bardo was quoted as saying on an Israeli channel that Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has no strategy and no vision for the future.
“All he cares about is staying in power, and he is leading us to disaster. The absolute victory he is talking about will result to more soldiers losing their lives.
“Netanyahu doesn’t hear, doesn’t see, doesn’t think, and he only cares about himself and doesn’t think about the state and he leads us to disaster. All that matters to him is that he remains at the head of the government.”
Tamir Bardo
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