South Africa Advocates for Gaza

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ruled in favor of South Africa's request for provisional measures against Israel regarding the conflict in Gaza. The Court, while not granting an immediate suspension of Israel's military operations, has ordered Israel to take all necessary measures to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza. The ruling recognizes the substantial part of the Palestinian population in Gaza as a protected group under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

The Court cited the large number of deaths, injuries, displacement of the population, and extensive damage to civilian infrastructure resulting from Israel's military operations in Gaza. It acknowledged the right of the Palestinian people to be protected from acts of genocide. Importantly, the ICJ considered statements by senior Israeli officials, documented by South Africa, as evidence of an intent to commit genocide.

The provisional measures ordered by the ICJ include Israel taking immediate action to prevent acts within the scope of the Convention, ensuring its military doesn't commit acts described in the ruling, preventing and punishing incitement to commit genocide, providing urgent basic services and humanitarian assistance to Gaza, and preserving evidence related to allegations under the Genocide Convention.

The ruling raises questions about the obligations of other State Parties to the Genocide Convention. South Africa emphasized that other states are now on notice of the risk of genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza and must act independently to prevent genocide, which includes ceasing funding and facilitating Israel's military actions. The ICJ's decision will be notified to the UN Security Council, although the Court lacks an enforcement mechanism. Prime Minister Netanyahu rejected the charge of genocide, while Hamas officials welcomed the ruling as an important development exposing Israeli crimes in Gaza.

Over the weekend, Israel continued intense bombardment and ground attacks, resulting in the deaths of over 350 Palestinians and injuries to close to 650 others. This ongoing violence blatantly disregards the ICJ's call for measures to prevent acts of genocide.

The Israeli airstrikes and ground shelling have targeted multiple areas, including Khan Younis, Nasser and Al-Amal hospitals in Gaza, and other regions such as Gaza city, Nuseirat, and Shati refugee camps. The siege, bombings, and killings have been particularly severe, with Israeli forces claiming to fight Palestinian resistance fighters.

Since October 7 of the previous year, Israeli forces have killed more than 26,400 Palestinians, injured over 65,000, and left more than 8,000 missing, feared to be trapped under rubble from widespread destruction across Gaza. The violence extends beyond Gaza, with Israeli forces continuing their aggression in the occupied West Bank through deadly military raids in various cities and villages.

In a coordinated attack on Gaza's primary aid agency, UNRWA, several western countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, and the European Union, have halted funding. This decision follows Israel's accusations against some UNRWA staff of aiding Palestinian resistance fighters in attacks on Israel. The halt in funding, based on unproven allegations, has been strongly condemned by the United Nations, human rights groups, and aid agencies.

With two million people in Gaza dependent on critical UNRWA aid for survival, the funding cutoff exacerbates the already severe humanitarian crisis. The UN has appealed to countries to resume funding, emphasizing the impact on civilians' day-to-day survival and access to critical supplies such as medicines. Amnesty International has criticized the decision as "sickening" and a "heartless decision" that punishes the most vulnerable population on earth.

The ICJ, in its ruling, highlighted the evidence indicating the risk of genocide in Gaza and urged an increase in aid delivery to avert further death and suffering resulting from the Israeli war. The continuation of violence and the targeting of essential aid agencies underscore the urgent need for international intervention and solidarity against the ongoing humanitarian crisis.