ICJ Urges Israel To Prevent Genocide in Gaza, Fails to Order Ceasefire

IQNA – The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the United Nations' highest judicial body, has issued an interim order to the Israeli regime to prevent any acts that could amount to genocide in the Gaza Strip, where it is waging a war against the Palestinian nation.

The order, issued on Friday, was part of the court's response to the emergency measures sought by South Africa, which has filed a case against the Israeli regime for violating the UN Genocide Convention of 1948.

The court said it had jurisdiction to hear the case, as both Israel and South Africa are parties to the convention, which prohibits and punishes the crime of genocide.

The court defined genocide as "acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group."

The court warned Israel to "take all measures in its power to prevent" such acts in the Gaza Strip, where it has launched a military offensive since October 7 that has killed at least 26,083 Palestinians, mostly women, children and adolescents.

The court also ordered Israel to refrain from inciting or encouraging genocide, and to ensure the provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians in Gaza, who are facing a dire humanitarian crisis.

The court asked Israel to report back in one month on the steps it has taken to comply with the order.

The order did not address the main issue of the case, which is whether Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. The court said it will decide on that issue after hearing the arguments of both sides in a full trial. The case can take years to conclude.

South Africa, which has a history of fighting against apartheid, says the Israeli regime is carrying out "genocidal" acts against the Palestinians, who are a protected group under the convention.

South Africa has urged the court to order Israel to stop its military operations in Gaza and to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid to the civilians there.

South Africa has also been a vocal critic of Israel's policies towards the Palestinians and has supported several initiatives to hold the apartheid regime accountable for its crimes in Gaza.

The court's order is legally binding, but it has no power to enforce it. It depends on the goodwill of the parties and the pressure of the international community to ensure its implementation.

Source: Agencies