The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday ordered Israel to take all possible steps to prevent genocide in its operations in Gaza.
In a televised judgment, the ICJ made six orders regarding the emergency relief sought by South Africa, with the majority of the 17 judges who heard the case voting overwhelmingly in favour.
The two judges who voted against the ruling were from Uganda and Israel.
Although the court did not call for an immediate end to Israeli operations in Gaza, the ruling was a victory for South Africa, which sought urgent relief for the Palestinian people.
The ICJ ordered Israel to take the following actions:
- Israel should do everything possible to prevent all acts of genocide
- Preventing the Israel Defense Forces from committing acts of genocide
- Take all measures to prevent and punish incitement to genocide
- Take immediate and effective steps to enable essential services and humanitarian assistance to Gaza
- preserve the evidence
- Isreal shall submit a report within one month on all measures taken to give effect to the ICJ Order
The ICJ said South Africa had established that there was a plausible case of genocide and that Israel must respect the United Nations Genocide Convention.
Israel, backed by the United States, has consistently maintained that its bombing and ground operations in retaliation for the October 7 Hamas attack, which killed more than 1,200 Israelis and abducted more than 200, were self-defense. .
The ICJ said Hamas must immediately release the hostages it abducted during its daring attack on Israel.
The World Court warned that the judgment in no way represents a conclusion on the key issues raised by South Africa, which accuses Israel of committing acts of genocide against the Palestinian people.
The ruling is binding on all signatories, including Israel, but observers warn there is no mechanism to enforce it.
