By Janet Ekstract ISTANBUL- Judges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) also known as the World Court, unanimously issued a legally binding ruling on Thursday that said Israel should “take all necessary and effective measures to ensure, without delay…the unhindered provision…of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance” in Gaza while on Friday, multiple countries and international rights groups increased their pressure on Israel to comply with the ICJ order on aid into the Gaza enclave. The U.N. Security Council (UNSC) passed a new resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza but Israel is ignoring it. Meanwhile, judges at the ICJ are continuing their examination of South Africa’s accusation of genocide by Israel and South Africa’s presidency lauded Thursday’s ICJ ruling. As the South African presidency said in a statement: “The fact that Palestinian deaths are not solely caused by bombardment and ground attacks, but also by disease and starvation, indicates a need to protect the group’s right to exist.” Belgium also welcomed the ICJ ruling, stating: “Israel must stop starving civilians and children.” Belgium’s Minister of Development Cooperation and Urban Policy Caroline Gennez posted on X that Israel using “hunger as a weapon of war” amounts to a “flagrant violation of international law.”
Amnesty International said the ICJ ruling highlights “the continuing catastrophic deterioration” in Gaza. The ICJ ruling happened after Israel blocked aid convoys from the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) from entering northern Gaza. In a statement, Amnesty International said: “This new ruling must serve as a critical reminder to all states of their clear duty to prevent genocide, which requires then to ensure that all of the ICJ’s provisional measures are duly implemented.” The rights group emphasized that states have to do everything possible to prevent genocide and use all means to influence Israel’s actions and stop the slaughter in Gaza. The group added: “An immediate ceasefire remains the most effective means to alleviate suffering in Gaza & ensure implementation of the ICJ measures.” According to reports, several judges at the ICJ indicated to adhere fully to the ICJ order, Israel would need to suspend military operations. Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.
