ALBAWABA - Lebanese Judge Nawaf Salam has been elected as the new International Court of Justice (ICJ) president, and now will be overseeing the "genocidal" intent case South Africa brought against Israel in the Hague court.
The ICJ announced Nawaf Salam's appointment in a press release noting he has been a member of the court since 2018 and previously served as Beirut’s envoy to the United Nations.
Salam took to X, formerly Twitter, to affirm his appointment the the president of the global body.
"My election as President of the International Court of Justice is a major responsibility in achieving international justice and upholding international law," said Salam.
Meanwhile, Ugandan Judge Julia Sebutinde was elected Salam's vice president of the International Court of Justice for a three-year term. Judge Sebutinde has been a member of the ICJ since February 6, 2012. She previously served as a judge at the Special Court for Sierra Leone from 2005 to 2011.
Judge Sebutinde recently made headlines for delivering a dissenting opinion in a case filed by South Africa before the International Court of Justice alleging violations of the "Genocide Convention" by Israel in the Gaza Strip.
South Africa's case against Israel in the ICJ
South Africa announced prosecuting Israel over "genocidal" doing in Gaza under the International Court of Justice (ICJ), gaining endorsement from multiple countries across the world.
The first public hearings at the Peace Palace in the Hague took place on the 11 and 12 of January. South Africa argued that Israel violated its obligations under the "Genocide Convention" in its application to the ICJ.
They further argued that "acts and omissions by Israel … are 'genocidal' in character, as they are committed with the requisite specific intent … to destroy Palestinians in Gaza".
South Africa provided the ICJ with extensive evidence of 'genocidal intent' in various public statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and other high-ranking officials in an 84-page complaint.
Al-Aqsa Flood operation against Israel
Hamas military group announced on Oct. 7 a military operation called "Al-Aqsa Flood" against Israel which is the biggest offensive in decades.
Palestinian fighters “infiltrated” Israel from the Gaza Strip, captured military bases and took hostages as photos and videos went viral online showing Hamas fighters on vehicles inside Israel and others paragliding into occupation territory.
In response, Israeli armed forces announced targeting Hamas positions inside the Gaza Strip. Thousands were killed, and dozens of thousands of others were injured in the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
