Presiding judge Joan Donoghue, right, opens the session at the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Israel is set to hear whether the United Nations’ top court will order it to end its military offensive in Gaza during a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide. (AP Photo/Patrick Post)
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has delivered its ruling on the emergency measures requested by South Africa in its genocide case against Israel over its war on the Gaza Strip.
The court said, among others, that Israel must take steps to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza but stopped short of ordering a ceasefire, reports Al-Jazeera.
The judges have not ruled on the merits of the genocide allegations, which may take years to decide.
Since October 7, Israel's military campaign has killed at least 26,083 people and wounded 64,487 others, according to officials in Gaza. Thousands more are missing under the rubble, most of them presumed dead.
Netanyahu issues video statement
Netanyahu says in a video that Israel is fighting a "just war like no other".
He adds that Israel will continue to defend itself and its citizens while adhering to international law.
Ben-Gvir reacts to ICJ's orders
Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir mocks the ICJ after the court ended its reading.
"Hague shmague,' the minister wrote on X in the first comments by an Israeli official.
ICJ ruling shows that 'no state is above the law': Maliki
Riyadh Maliki, Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs, has issued a statement responding to the International Court of Justice's ruling on the emergency measures requested by South Africa in its genocide case against Israel over its war on the Gaza Strip.
Here is his full statement:
Palestine welcomes the significant order by the International Court of Justice in South Africa's case against Israel under the Genocide Convention. In light of the incontrovertible evidence presented to the Court about the unfolding genocide, the ICJ ordered these provisional measures.
The ICJ ruling is an important reminder that no state is above the law or beyond the reach of justice. It breaks Israel's entrenched culture of criminality and impunity, which has characterized its decades-long occupation, dispossession, persecution, and apartheid in Palestine.
Israel failed to convince the Court that it was not violating the Genocide Convention. The ICJ judges saw through Israel's politicization, deflection, and outright lies. They assessed the facts and the law and ordered provisional measures that recognized the gravity of the situation on the ground and the veracity of South Africa's application. Israel is accused of destroying an entire people and will now stand accused of Genocide, the crime of all crimes.
Palestine calls on all states to ensure respect for the order of the International Court of Justice, including by Israel. Governments must ensure they are not complicit in this genocide, starting with stopping arms trade with Israel. Governments must also endeavor to stop the industrial slaughter and destruction in Gaza. This is now a binding legal obligation.
The Palestinian people and leadership will be forever grateful to the people and goverment of South Africa for taking this bold step of active solidarity. We are also grateful to the millions of people who have not stopped taking to the streets around the world to protest the genocide and champion Palestinian rights to life and freedom.
Palestine will continue to work with allies to ensure an end to the genocide, accountability for the atrocious crimes, and the protection of our collective rights as peoples of the world to equal human rights, justice, and freedom. This is a fight for humanity the world cannot afford to lose.
ICJ ruling contributes to 'isolating' Israel: Hamas official
Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri has called the court's decision an important development that contributes to isolating Israel and exposing its crimes in Gaza.
"We call for forcing the occupation to implement the court's decisions," he told Reuters.
Reaction from the South African government
South Africa hails what it calls a "decisive victory" for the international rule of law.
Thanking the ICJ for its swift ruling, the government said it welcomed the provisional measures and said it sincerely hoped Israel would not act to frustrate the application of the court's orders.
It further said the ruling marked a significant milestone in the search for justice for the Palestinian people.
It added that South Africa will continue to act within global institutions to protect the rights of the Palestinians in Gaza. Here's a quick recap of the ICJ ruling
1. The court says it has jurisdiction to rule in the case. 2. The court orders Israel to take measures to prevent acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip, must report back in one month. 3. The court says Israel must prevent and punish incitement to genocide in the Strip. 4. The court says Israel must allow humanitarian aid into the Strip. 5. The court obliges Israel to take more measures to protect Palestinians but does not order it to end military operations in the Strip.
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