The Hague: The International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to take measures to stop the genocide in Gaza. The International Court of Justice today issued an interim judgment in the case filed by South Africa. However, the court did not consider the demand for a cease-fire order.
Court judge Joan Donoghue delivered the final verdict. It has also been directed to submit a report to Israel within a month in this regard. The court also ruled that Israel must do everything possible to provide Gaza with the humanitarian aid it needs.
The ICJ, which is also the highest court of the United Nations, announced on Wednesday that a panel of 17 judges will announce the verdict in the case. The two-day trial was held on 11th and 12th of this month. South Africa has asked the World Court to order an immediate halt to Israel’s devastating military operation in Gaza. It was argued that urgent measures were needed to protect the Palestinian people from severe and irreparable destruction. The petition also demanded that Israel be ordered not to obstruct the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
On the first day of South Africa’s complaint to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), South Africa and the second day of Israel presented their arguments. South Africa presents evidence that Israel’s continued occupation of Gaza constitutes genocide. Adila Hashim, the lawyer who appeared for South Africa, pointed out that a pre-planned genocide is taking place in Gaza.
Israel is using deadly weapons of mass destruction in Gaza. Civilians were killed in large numbers. After forcing the Palestinians to leave their homes by dropping bombs, they took them to the refugee camps, claiming they were safe havens, and massacred them. Basic needs like food, water, healthcare, fuel, sanitation and communication were denied.
Houses, schools, mosques, churches and hospitals were bombed. Children were killed, maimed and orphaned in large numbers. Genocides are never premeditated. However, Adila said that it will be clear to the court when these events are analyzed that what has been going on in Gaza for 13 weeks is genocide.
Another lawyer, Thembeka Kukaithobi, pointed out that statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Galant and President Isaac Herzog were evidence of genocide. He cited Isaac Herzog’s statement that ‘the entire country is responsible for the October 7 attack’.
The court was also shown footage of Israeli soldiers singing jubilantly in Gaza, reciting the biblical verse to ‘attack the Amalekites and destroy everything related to them’. Prime Minister Netanyahu also presented a video as evidence reminding the people of Israel of the order of Israel’s first king, Saul, to kill the men, women, children and animals of the Amalekite community. Thembeka also explained that analyzing the events so far, it is clear that Israel is proceeding with a clear plan to destroy the entire Palestinian people.
He asked if any country would admit that they were committing genocide. He added that all over the land of Israel are speeches promoting genocide.
However, Israel denied South Africa’s allegations in the International Court of Justice. Christopher Staker, a lawyer appearing for Israel, said South Africa’s demand for an immediate end to Israel’s military operations in Gaza was surprising. He opposed South Africa’s demand that the International Court of Justice take interim measures to end the genocide. Israel’s deputy attorney said South Africa had failed to present sufficient evidence to justify its request for an interim order.