Balakirshnan Rajagopal, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, expressed on Wednesday that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) should take into account the damaged or destroyed houses in Gaza as potential evidence of genocide during the upcoming case filed by South Africa against Israel.
In a statement posted on X, the special envoy highlighted that approximately 56% of houses in Gaza have faced destruction or damage, with Northern Gaza being the most severely affected, seeing up to 82% of houses damaged or destroyed. Rajagopal urged the ICJ to consider this situation as evidence of genocide, especially when combined with public statements provided by South Africa.
Accompanying the statement was a report from the Decentralised Damage Mapping Group, indicating that between 45.3% (130,200) and 55.9% (160,800) of buildings in the Gaza Strip were likely damaged or destroyed as of January 5.
The report also revealed that in the vicinity of Gaza City, 71.1% to 82.7% of buildings were "likely damaged or destroyed."
The ICJ hearings, scheduled for Thursday and Friday, revolve around the case initiated by South Africa on December 29, 2023, accusing Israel of committing "genocidal acts" during the conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
South Africa is set to present its oral arguments on Thursday, followed by Israel the next day. Israel's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lior Haiat, previously denounced South Africa's claim as "despicable and contemptuous exploitation of the Court."
National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi confirmed Israel's attendance at the hearings, emphasizing their commitment to the convention against genocide. The U.S. also dismissed the case as meritless, counterproductive, and lacking any factual basis.
In response to South Africa's criticism of Israel's military operation in Gaza, both countries recalled their respective diplomats in November 2023. Recently, Israel appointed retired Supreme Court judge Aharon Barak to represent the country on the 15-judge ICJ panel hearing the case.
(With Agency Inputs)
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