ICJ orders Israel to take 'all measures' to prevent genocide

The court has delivered its interim ruling on the case brought by South Africa, accusing Israel of violating the UN Genocide Convention in its current war in Gaza.

Delivering the court's decision this afternoon, ICJ President Justice Joan Donoghue read out several instances where concerns of genocidal rhetoric from senior Israeli government officials were raised...

"In the courts view the before mentioned, facts and circumstances are sufficient to conclude that at least some of the rights claimed by South Africa and of which it is seeking protection are plausible.

"This is the case, with respect to the right of Palestinians in Gaza to be protected from active genocide and related prohibited acts, Identified in article 3 and the right of South Africa to seek Israel's compliance with the obligations of the convention."    

South Africa had asked the top UN court to grant urgent interim measures to protect the people of Palestine. 

The court made several orders on Friday afternoon.

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"The state of Israel shall take all measures within its power to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide in relation to members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza strip.

"The state of Israel shall take immediate and effective measures, to ensure the provision of urgently needed, basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians In the Gaza strip."

The ICJ has also made a plea on behalf of the hostages taken by Hamas in October.

"The order then states that the court deems it necessary to emphasis that all parties to the conflict in the Gaza strip are bound by International Humanitarian Law. It is gravely concerned about the fate of the hostages abducted during the attack in Israel on 7 October 2023 and held since then by Hamas and other armed groups and calls for the immediate and unconditional release."