Chicago – January 26, 2024
The international court has ordered Israel to prevent genocidal crimes in Gaza, including by its ground forces, and to allow humanitarian aid into the region.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has not ruled on whether Israel has committed genocide; that decision will be made at a later date, but its preliminary finding provides the clearest indication yet of which direction the judges are leaning.
According to the decision, Israel’s military operation “had resulted in a large number of deaths and injuries, as well as the massive destruction of homes, the forcible displacement of the vast majority of the population, and extensive damage to civilian infrastructure”.
Moreover, it directed Israel to “take all measures within its power to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide in relation to members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip”.
The court granted the majority of South Africa’s requests, including humanitarian access, but it did not impose an immediate halt to Israel’s military operation. The Friday court order issued did not mention the word “ceasefire”.
In a partial explanation of its ruling, the court stated that the remedies it implemented did not have to “be identical to those requested” by South Africa.
