Iran hails ICJ ruling against Israel genocide case in Gaza

In a post on his X account on Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian extended his congratulations to the South African government and nation, particularly his counterpart Naledi Pandor, as well as the Palestinian people over the African country's success at the United Nations' top court.

He once again reiterated Iran's support for South Africa's initiative and called on his counterparts across the world to also throw their weight behind the African country's move at the ICJ.

"Today, the officials of the fake Israeli regime are the most hated people in the world's public opinion. They must be urgently brought to justice for committing genocide and unprecedented war crimes against the Palestinians," the top Iranian diplomat emphasized.

Amir-Abdollahian said the world public opinion would never forget the White House's full support for the Zionists' crimes against the Palestinians and would always heed the regime's criminal acts.

In its interim ruling, the ICJ ordered Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent genocide in Gaza, saying the regime must ensure its forces do not commit genocide and also ensure the preservation of evidence of alleged genocide.

It also urged the regime to report back in one month.

The court obliged Israel to take more measures to protect Palestinians but did not order it to end military operations in the Strip.

South Africa filed the lawsuit against Israel at the end of December, noting that Israel’s actions are “genocidal in character because they are intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group.”

The application also said Israeli attacks breach the UN’s Genocide Convention, and urged the court to “order Israel to cease killing and causing serious mental and bodily harm to Palestinian people in Gaza.”

In a telephone conversation with his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi said South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the ICJ has drawn the admiration of all freedom seekers worldwide.

Israel launched hostilities in Gaza following a historic operation by the Gaza-based Hamas resistance group against the occupying entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

More than 100 days into the campaign, the regime has achieved no objectives despite killing at least 26,083 people in Gaza, around 70 percent of them women and children.