![A public hearing at the International Court of Justice, The Hague (Netherlands), April 30, 2024.](https://img.lemde.fr/2024/05/14/0/0/5500/3667/664/0/75/0/cb63120_1715673714207-379720.jpg)
Egypt raises its tone against Israel. Cairo announced on Sunday May 12 its intention to join the complaint for genocide filed by South Africa against Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In a press release, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs justifies its decision by “the seriousness and extent of Israeli attacks against civilians”and systematic targeting “civilians, and the destruction of infrastructure”aiming to “displace Palestinians from their land”.
On May 7, while Israel launched its offensive on Rafah and deployed tanks along the Philadelphia corridor, contravening the protocol signed in 2005 with Egypt, Cairo was content with simple condemnations, warning of the risk of ‘A “humanitarian nightmare”.
But the images of the Star of David flag flying at the Rafah crossing point and the desolation in the city sheltering more than a million civilians caused a shock wave in Egyptian public opinion. Many Egyptians judged that the reaction of the authorities was not up to par, particularly in the ranks of the opposition to the regime of Marshal Abdel Fattah Al-Sissi.
” Red line “
A week later, when the operation that the Israelis had presented as “limited” continues and no humanitarian aid truck has been able to enter the enclave, Cairo is less conciliatory. In a sign that the diplomatic crisis is worsening between the two countries, Egyptian military officials suddenly canceled a meeting planned for Monday with their Israeli counterparts.
“Israel has crossed a red line. The decision to support the South African complaint is a logical diplomatic retaliation. It should have intervened earlier, but it is a positive and important step which corresponds to the aspirations of the Egyptian people”comments Khaled Ali, Egyptian lawyer and politician, who believes that Israeli relentlessness on the Palestinian enclave could ultimately endanger the Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty signed in 1979.
In recent weeks, mediation led by Cairo seemed on the verge of achieving a ceasefire. Accepted by Hamas on May 6, the draft agreement was shattered the next day with the Israeli offensive. “Egypt failed to dissuade Israel from attacking Rafah. Cornered and upset, Cairo is trying with this decision to defend its credibility as a regional power.estimates Ayman Salama, expert in international law.
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