The International Court of Justice ordered Israel to increase its efforts to prevent the killing and harm of Palestinian civilians in Gaza but did not call for a ceasefire.
The court’s president, Judge Joan Donoghue, read out the court’s preliminary rulings on Friday in the case brought by South Africa that alleged Israel has been engaged in genocide against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.
Donoghue affirmed the court has jurisdiction in the case, announced that the panel of judges found that “some of the rights claimed by South Africa and for which it is seeking protection are plausible” and that the situation could deteriorate further before the case may come to a conclusion.
The judges declined to throw out the case as Israel’s lawyers requested.
“The court considers that the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is at serious risk of deteriorating further before the court renders its final judgement,” Donoghue said. “The court considers that there is urgency in the sense that there is a real and imminent risk at irreparable prejudice will be caused to the rights found by the court to be plausible before it gives its final decision.”
Israeli leaders need to take “all measures” to “ensure with immediate effect that its military does not commit any acts” that could fall foul of the Genocide Convention.
“Israel’s commitment to international law is unwavering,” Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in a statement. “It exists independently of any ICJ proceedings, as does Israel’s inherent right to defend itself against the genocidal terrorists of Hamas. I reiterate this today on the eve of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. I commend our excellent legal team for their outstanding efforts. You have represented Israel and the Jewish people with honor. You have made us proud.”
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin said in a short video message, “Like every country, Israel has an inherent right to defend itself,” and added, “The vile attempt to deny Israel this fundamental right is blatant discrimination against the Jewish state, and it was justly rejected.”
The court also demanded Israel must submit a report in a month detailing the measures it has taken to carry out their orders.
