The Hague: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) today asked Israel to ensure with immediate effect that its military does not commit acts which constitute a violation of any of the rights of the Palestinians in Gaza as a protected group under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, including by preventing, through any action, the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance.
The ICJ also unanimously passed an Order directing Israel to take all necessary and effective measures in view of the spread of famine and starvation and ensure basic services and humanitarian assistance to Palestinians throughout Gaza.
In its Order, the Court observed that, since January 26, 2024, “the catastrophic living conditions of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have deteriorated further, in particular in view of the prolonged and widespread deprivation of food and other basic necessities to which the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have been subjected”, and that “Palestinians in Gaza are no longer facing only a risk of famine, as noted in the Order of 26 January 2024, but that famine is setting in”.
In the view of the Court, the provisional measures indicated in the Order of January 26, 2024, did not fully address the consequences arising from the changes in the situation. This, according to the Court, justified the modification of these measures.
The ICJ Order has a binding effect. It directed Israel to submit a report to the Court on all measures taken to give effect to this Order, within one month.
The court noted the “worsening conditions of life faced by Palestinians in Gaza, in particular, the spread of famine and starvation”. The Order said, “Israel shall, in conformity with its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, take all necessary and effective measures to ensure, without delay, in full co-operation with the United Nations, the unhindered provision at scale by all concerned of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance, including food, water, electricity, fuel, shelter, clothing, hygiene and sanitation requirements, as well as medical supplies and medical care to Palestinians throughout Gaza, including by increasing the capacity and number of land crossing points and maintaining them open for as long as necessary”.
In the case concerning the Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa versus Israel), the Court, considered South Africa’s request of March 6, 2024, for the indication of additional provisional measures and/or the modification of its Order of January 26 2024, based on the change in the situation in Gaza, and Israel’s observations of 15 March 2024.
On that request, the Order was delivered today, which was communicated to the Parties by a letter from the Registrar.
– global bihari buraeu
