In accordance with the Statute of the Court, the Secretary-General of the International Court of Justice, Stéphane Dujarric, is slated to transmit a notice of the provisional measures ordered by the court to the United Nations Security Council.
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese told Al Jazeera that the ICJ’s decision will make it more difficult for Israel’s allies in the international community to engage in its defense.
While she admitted that the US has often used its veto power in the UN Security Council to “prevent basic measures of justice,” she believes that the current situation presents different circumstances for European countries, which have a clear stance on respect for international law.”
In response to the recent developments at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the Dujarric has issued a statement regarding the case of South Africa against Israel. The statement concerns the application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip.
The ICJ has issued provisional measures in the case, directing Israel to comply with its obligations under the Genocide Convention. Israel was ordered to take all necessary measures to prevent acts falling under the scope of Article II of the Convention. These included “killing, causing serious bodily or mental harm, deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about the group’s destruction, and imposing measures intended to prevent births” in relation to Palestinians in Gaza.
Of particular significance is the Court’s directive for Israel to ensure immediate compliance by its military to refrain from committing any such acts. Additionally, Israel was instructed to provide urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to alleviate the adverse conditions faced by Palestinians in Gaza.
The ICJ underscores that all parties involved in the conflict in the Gaza Strip are bound by international humanitarian law. It calls for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages abducted during the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and held by Hamas and other armed groups since then.
Qatar hailed the ruling by the ICJ that Israel must prevent genocidal acts in Gaza and allow humanitarian aid into the territory.
Saudi Arabia welcomed the ICJ’s decision on Israel’s war in Gaza and called for the international community to “hold Israel accountable” for “violations” of international law.
