The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Thursday issued new
provisional measures for Israel as the humanitarian situation in
bombarded and besieged Gaza continues to deteriorate.
The world court issued the new order in response
to a recent request made by South Africa, which submitted a case
in December accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza, based on its
continuing offensive following Hamas-led attacks in southern
Israel which left almost 1,200 dead and more than 240 taken
hostage.
Since then, more than 32,000 Palestinians have been killed by
Israeli strikes and attacks, according to figures from Gaza's
health ministry.
Israel to ensure aid deliveries
The ICJ provisional
measures state that Israel, “in view of the worsening conditions
of life faced by Palestinians in Gaza, in particular the spread
of famine and starvation”, shall take “all necessary and
effective measures to ensure, without delay, in full cooperation
with the United Nations, the unhindered provision at
scale by all concerned of urgently needed basic services and
humanitarian assistance to Palestinians throughout
Gaza”.
The measures outline that the required aid includes food, water,
electricity, fuel, shelter, clothing, hygiene and sanitation
requirements, as well as medical supplies and medical care.
Orders to open more land crossings
The fresh ICJ order also calls on Israel, as a signatory to
the Genocide Convention,
to undertake those measures, “including by increasing the
capacity and number of land crossing points and
maintaining them open for as long as necessary”.
Additional measures call for 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 Genocide Convention.
This includes “by preventing, through any action, the delivery of
urgently needed humanitarian assistance”, according to the ICJ.
The court also decided that Israel shall submit a report to the
ICJ on all measures within one month.
UN: All Member States must abide by ICJ
decisions
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reminded journalists at his
daily briefing that the ICJ operates independently.
“We do believe as a matter of principle that all Member States
abide by decisions of the court,” he said.
The ICJ was established by the UN Charter as
the principal judicial
organ of the UN.
Read our explainer on the ICJ here.
