ICJ tells Israel to provide info on conditions in Gaza evacuation zones

The two-day hearing at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ended with the court's request from Israel to provide information about the existing humanitarian conditions in the designated evacuation zones in Gaza.

The second day of the hearing was held on Friday in The Hague with Israel's defence to South Africa’s urgent appeal, seeking additional provisional measures against Israel.

During opening remarks, Israeli representative Gilad Noam said that the notification of the hearing "came as a great surprise," adding that although Israel asked that the hearing be rescheduled to next week, it was rejected.

Claiming that Israel has worked "diligently to enable the protection of civilians," Noam said it is Israel's "right and obligation to defend" its citizens.

For her part, Tamar Kaplan Tourgeman, the principal deputy legal adviser at the Israeli Foreign Ministry, argued that Israel did not close southern Gaza's two main crossings, Rafah and Kerem Shalom border crossings.

"This is blatantly untrue," said Tourgeman, claiming that Israel allows and facilitates the provision of more humanitarian aid.

Concluding, Tourgeman asked the court to reject South Africa's request for provisional measures: "The State of Israel requests the court to reject the request for the modification and indication of provisional measures submitted by the Republic of South Africa."

As Tourgeman delivered the statement, someone inside the court shouted "liar," and feed was cut but returned a few moments later.

Before closing the hearing, the ICJ has put a question to the Israeli delegation about the humanitarian situation in evacuation zones in the besieged enclave.

"Can Israel provide information about the existing humanitarian conditions in the designated evacuation zones, in particular al-Mawasi, and how it would ensure safe passage to these zones, as well as the provision of shelter, food, water, and other humanitarian aid and assistance to all evacuees that are and can be expected to arrive in these zones?" read Judge Georg Nolte.