On Friday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a directive to Israel, compelling it to take all necessary actions to prevent acts of genocide during its ongoing conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The court specified that Israel must ensure its forces avoid committing genocide and take steps to ameliorate the humanitarian conditions for Palestinians in the region.
While the court did not make a definitive ruling on whether genocide has occurred in Gaza, it acknowledged the right of Palestinians in the enclave to be shielded from such acts.
The case, brought by South Africa, did not result in an immediate halt to Israel’s military operation, which Gaza health authorities claim has claimed over 25,000 Palestinian lives.
Israel had urged the court to dismiss the case outright, asserting its compliance with international law and its right to self-defense. South Africa had argued that Israel’s offensive aimed at the “destruction of the population” of Gaza.
The conflict erupted after a cross-border incursion by Hamas on October 7, leading to Israeli retaliation, which officials claim resulted in 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians, and 240 people taken hostage.
