According to a statement issued by the Presidency, Pretoria requests that the ICJ strengthen the provisional measures ordered by the court on January 26, 2024.

The urgent request has been necessary, the text argued, by the widespread famine in Gaza, which has claimed the lives of at least 15 children in the last week, although the actual numbers are estimated to be much higher.

South Africa has no choice but to turn to the Court to strengthen the Interim Measures in place to try to prevent large-scale famine, starvation and disease in the Gaza Strip, which experts predict could result in more than 85,000 deaths in the next six months if nothing is done, according to the statement.

The Palestinians are running out of time, Pretoria adds. It is already too late for the 30,000 people who have lost their lives in Gaza since the conflict began.

Consequently, it adds, the world has an obligation to do everything possible immediately to stop further suffering and loss of life. The threat of total famine has already materialized.

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