The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague today ordered Israel to take measures to prevent acts of genocide, as well as to punish direct incitement to genocide in the Gaza Strip.
South Africa filed a lawsuit against Israel on 29 December 2023, alleging that it had breached its obligations under the Genocide Convention and requested interim measures to “prevent further, serious and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people under the Genocide Convention”.
The International Court of Justice today issued a decision on the South African Republic’s claim for genocide and the request for interim measures.
Court President Joan Donoghue said in the first part of her address that the International Court of Justice is fully aware of the human tragedy and deeply concerned about the loss of human life in Gaza.
She said Israel has launched a large-scale military campaign in Gaza from land, air and sea, causing massive civilian casualties, destroying civilian infrastructure and displacing the majority of Gaza’s population. Donoghue also said that the International Court of Justice has the authority to decide on provisional measures when it comes to violations of the provisions of the Convention on Genocide by Israel.
She also quoted statements by Israeli officials calling for the destruction of Gaza. In particular, she drew attention to the statements of Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant who ordered a “total siege” of Gaza and told the soldiers to fight against “human animals”.
She also quoted the statements of representatives of international organizations who reported that a humanitarian disaster was taking place in Gaza.
“Gaza has become a place of death and despair,” it quoted UN official Martin Griffiths as saying.
The International Court of Justice ordered Israel to do everything in its power to prevent the genocide.
The International Court of Justice in The Hague ruled that the accusations against Israel (in the case of genocide) were “reasonably” proven.
He also ruled that the Palestinians of Gaza, exposed to Israeli attacks, are a “protected group” from Article 2 of the Convention on Genocide.
The International Court of Justice in The Hague ruled that Israel must take measures to prevent acts prohibited by the Genocide Convention.
“Israel must, in relation to the Palestinians in Gaza, take all measures in its power to prevent the commission of acts covered by the Genocide Convention,” the decision stated.
The court stated that Israel must allow the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, but also obligates Israel to take measures to protect the Palestinians, but did not order it to stop military operations in the Gaza Strip.
Israel has one month to report to the court on what it is doing to comply with the ICJ’s order to take all measures in its power to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza.
