The Government of Maldives strongly condemns the ongoing attacks on Rafah by Israel, which have led to an exacerbation of the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. The continuation of military aggression by Israeli occupying forces against innocent Palestinian civilians is a rampant breach of international human rights and humanitarian law.
The demands made by Israel for the immediate evacuation of thousands of Palestinian civilians seeking refuge in Eastern Rafah are a testament to Israel’s failure to adhere to the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the case “Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel)”. These genocidal acts perpetrated by Israeli occupying forces under the guise of security concerns have resulted in mass displacement, acute starvation, and blockage of humanitarian aid.
The Government of Maldives has declared its intention to intervene in the case filed by South Africa against Israel at the ICJ, on the premise that Israel is in violation of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. In this regard, the Government of Maldives extends its full support to the urgent request made by South Africa on May 10, 2024, for the modification and indication of further provisional measures by the Court concerning the current situation in Rafah. The Government of Maldives is resolute in guaranteeing a lasting solution to the long suffering endured by the Palestinian people by any means necessary.
The Government of Maldives stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people in the pursuit of their inherent right to self-determination and remains committed to its calls for the establishment of a sovereign and independent State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, as per the pre-1967 borders.