The International Court of Justice ordered Israel to take all measures to prevent genocide in the Gaza Strip, broadcast by Radio Free Europe.
The court ruled that Israel must ensure that its forces are not committing genocide and take measures to improve the humanitarian situation. Israel has one month to report to the court what it is doing to implement the order.
In explaining the decision, the Court announced that it will not dismiss the case against Israel, and that it has the authority to issue emergency measures in case of suspicion of genocide.
The court recognized the rights of Palestinians in Gaza to be protected from genocide, and also stated that Palestinians fall under the protection of the Convention on the Prevention of Genocide. They also state that they see the risks of worsening the situation in Gaza.
Civilian casualties and massive displacement
The decision was read out by Judge Joan Donoghue. Referring to Israel's reaction in response to the Hamas attack on October 7, she assessed that Israel's military operation caused civilian casualties, great damage to Gaza and the displacement of the vast majority of the population.
She expressed the Court's deep concern at the continued loss of life and human suffering.
South Africa is suing Israel at the International Court of Justice for alleged genocide in the Gaza Strip. Israel has denied the accusations. The trial on that matter will last for years.
She asked the Court to immediately order Israel to immediately suspend military operations in the Gaza Strip, due to the violation of the International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide.
The International Court of Justice ruled on provisional measures. In principle, the judges of the International Court of Justice often grant interim measures which generally consist of asking the respondent state to refrain from any action that could aggravate the legal dispute.
It could be several years before the final verdict in the main proceedings, which alleges that the Israelis are carrying out genocide against the Palestinians. ICJ decisions are binding, but the Court does not have any instruments that would enable it to exert pressure so that its decisions are implemented in practice - if the accused international actors refuse to do so.
Israel rejects objections
At the end of December, the Republic of South Africa filed a lawsuit against Israel, accusing the country of violating the Convention on the Prevention of Genocide. This is the first time that Israel has faced accusations of genocide before that UN court. Israel, the USA, as well as the German Federal Government are of the opinion that the South African Republic's claim is unfounded.
During the hearing in the Hague courtroom two weeks ago, representatives of Israel decisively rejected all objections. "Israel is at war with Hamas, not with the Palestinian people," said Tal Becker, legal adviser to Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. That country also rejected demands for an immediate end to the military operation in the Gaza Strip. This would deprive Israel of its right to self-defense, according to the explanation of the Israeli side.
The reason for the war was the bloodshed of Hamas
The reason for the start of the war in Gaza was the terrible massacre that was carried out by the terrorist organization Hamas and other extremists in Israel on October 7, 2023. In the process, according to Israeli allegations, 1.140 people were killed, and around 250 people were kidnapped from Israel. About half of the Israeli hostages are still in the hands of Hamas.
Israel responded to that attack by launching a major military offensive in the Gaza Strip. According to Hamas, and these data cannot be independently verified, more than 25.000 people have been killed so far as part of the operation. Israel has blamed Hamas for the suffering of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.
