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ICJ orders Israel to halt military offensive in Rafah immediately

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By Francesca Hangeior

The top United Nations court has ordered Israel to halt military operations in Rafah, a landmark ruling likely to increase mounting international pressure on Israel more than seven months into the Gaza war.

Israel must “immediately halt its military offensive, and any other action in the Rafah Governorate, which may inflict on the Palestinian group in Gaza conditions of life that could bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part,” the International Court of Justice said.

It also ordered Israel to keep open the Rafah crossing into Gaza for the “unhindered” provision of humanitarian aid.

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ICJ rulings are legally binding but the court has no concrete means to enforce them. For example, it ordered Russia to halt its invasion of Ukraine, to no avail.

Israel had argued before the court that an order to stop military activity would give free rein to Hamas extremists and prevent its army from rescuing hostages taken in the group’s brutal October 7 attack.

The ICJ ruling comes hot on the heels of another highly charged decision Monday by the International Criminal Court prosecutor to seek arrest warrants for top Israeli and Hamas leaders.

Prosecutor Karim Khan alleged that senior Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, plus top Hamas officials, were guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the war in Gaza and the October 7 attack.

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South Africa brought the case before the ICJ last year alleging that Israel’s Gaza offensive breached the 1948 UN Genocide Convention — a charge strongly denied by Israel.

In a ruling on January 26 that made headlines worldwide, the ICJ ordered Israel to do everything it could to prevent acts of genocide during its military operation in Gaza.

But South Africa has since returned several times to the ICJ arguing that the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza compels the court to issue further fresh emergency measures.

The court did so in March, ordering new measures compelling Israel to ensure the “unhindered provision at scale” of humanitarian aid.

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In public hearings last week, South Africa’s ambassador Vusimuzi Madonsela alleged that “Israel’s genocide has continued apace and has just reached a new and horrific stage”.

“Although the present application was triggered by the unfolding situation in Rafah, Israel’s genocidal onslaught across Gaza has intensified over the past few days, also warranting the attention of this court,” he said.

South Africa argued the only way to enable humanitarian aid in to ease the crisis in Gaza was a full halt to Israel’s military operations.

The court will take months if not years to rule on the broader South African genocide case but it can order urgent measures while weighing its decision.

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Fear of impeachment: Kenya’s DP hospitalised-Lawyer

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The motion to impeach Gachagua will be debated on Tuesday next week, at which point the House will vote to either support or reject it.

Public participation for the impeachment motion against President William Ruto’s deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, is scheduled to take place across the 47 counties on Friday.

According to Capital News, this follows Speaker Moses Wetangula’s announcement that the House will adjourn from 12 pm to 2 pm on Wednesday to discuss the details of the public participation exercise.

The motion to impeach Gachagua will be debated on Tuesday next week, at which point the House will vote to either support or reject it.

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Wetangula has confirmed that Deputy President Gachagua can defend himself either personally or through legal counsel.

“It would be absurd for any motion to be concluded without public involvement. Court decisions have also emphasized this direction. Public participation is integral to such removals,” the Speaker stated.

To facilitate this process, the House will adjourn its sessions on Thursday afternoon, allowing lawmakers to engage with their constituents.

“The public participation will occur across the 47 counties, and the House will reconvene tomorrow to allow legal counsel to explain the modalities,” Wetangula added.

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The impeachment motion against Gachagua was formally introduced in Parliament by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, who has leveled over ten accusations against him, including constitutional breaches, corruption, and incitement.

Mutuse reported that he has gathered the support of 291 MPs, exceeding the required 117 signatures to meet the constitutional threshold for impeachment.

“I want to make it clear to this House and to Kenyans that I hold no malice or personal vendetta against the Deputy President. I am simply fulfilling my duty as a citizen and Member of Parliament,” Mutuse stated during the session.

The motion outlines nine charges against Gachagua, including gross constitutional violations and promoting ethnic discrimination, alongside undermining national unity through divisive public statements.

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Gachagua is also accused of undermining government policies and failing to uphold his duties as Deputy President regarding collective Cabinet responsibility. Mutuse, defending his position, claimed to have nine witnesses prepared to provide evidence for each charge.

“If the people can’t receive services because of Gachagua, we believe it’s necessary to remove him for the sake of Kenyans,” he asserted.

In addition to the constitutional violations, the motion alleges Gachagua engaged in corruption, money laundering, and abuse of office, thereby eroding public trust and contravening anti-corruption laws.

“Engaging in corruption and money laundering while in office undermines public trust and violates the law,” Mutuse concluded.

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Just in: Finally DNA test confirms death of Hamas leader

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Preliminary DNA results are confirming the death of Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar in an Israeli strike.

United States officials have confirmed the death of Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar following DNA test results, CNN has reported.

The test results were relayed to the White House by Israeli officials who according to the report are waiting for one final report to give a statement of confirmation on the death of Sinwar.

GWG.ng reports that Sinwar was reportedly killed during an accidental fire fight in Gaza. The Israeli fighters it was gathered did not act on intelligence as the encounter was simply an accident.

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The death of Sinwar is bound to echo throughout the Middle East given his role as the architect of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel that led to the death of more than 1,200 Israelis.

It was gathered that while the killing of Sinwar has befuddled much of the people in Gaza, celebration is breaking out in Israel over the development as the people of the country rejoice over the fall of the man who organised the worst mass killing of Israelis since the Holocaust.

Meanwhile, GWG.ng reports US officials and other international stakeholders as saying that the killing of Sinwar could help rejuvenate the Middle East peace process given the fact that the late Hamas leader was seen as a major obstacle to regional peace.

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Ukraine alleges N’Korea is sending troops to Russia

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He was speaking days after visiting several European capitals to press his case for more military and financial help in the war against invading Russian forces.

“We see an increasing alliance between Russia and regimes like in North Korea,” Zelensky said in his evening address.

“It is no longer just about transferring weapons. It is actually about the transfer of people from North Korea to the occupier’s military forces.

“Obviously, in such circumstances, our relations with our partners need to be developed. The frontline needs more support,” he said.

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Zelensky completed a whirlwind two-day tour of European capitals last week including Berlin, London and Paris to ask for sustained military aid as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine grinds on through its third year.

“When we talk about more long-range capability for Ukraine and more decisive supplies for our forces, it is not just a list of military equipment,” Zelensky said.

“It is about increasing the pressure on the aggressor, which will be stronger for Russia than they can withstand. And it is about preventing a bigger war.”

AFP.

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