The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled Friday to grant some of the emergency measures requested by South Africa in its case against Israel at the United Nations’ top court.
The court ruled that Israel must prevent and punish incitement to genocide and increase aid to the Gaza Strip.
Notably, the ICJ did not call for a cease-fire in Gaza, per the South Africans’ request, but ordered Israel to take immediate steps to ensure compliance with the Genocide Convention. The convention was established in 1948 after atrocities committed during World War Two, including the Holocaust.
The court ultimately ruled that it has jurisdiction to consider the case. “The court cannot accede to Israel’s request that it not entertain the application,” President of the International Court of Justice Judge Joan E. Donoghue said at the opening of the session.
Donoghue proceeded to say that Israel must take all measures to preserve evidence and provide a report to the court within one month detailing its compliance with the aforementioned measures.
South Africa had filed a case with the court earlier this month arguing that Israel’s military operation in Gaza amounted to a state-led genocide. Israel has refuted the accusation as “grossly distorted” and “blood libel.” It maintains that its military operations are targeting Hamas militants, not Palestinian civilians, despite thousands of civilians being killed in the fighting.
The ICJ held hearings at the Hague on Jan. 11 and 12 — with South Africa presenting its case the first day and Israel the second.
South Africa had requested a number of emergency provisional measures, including that Israel suspend military operations in Gaza; allow sufficient amounts of food, water and other humanitarian supplies into the enclave; and preserve evidence relevant to the genocide accusation.
While the ICJ judges ruled on the provision measures in just two weeks, a decision on whether Israel is guilty of genocide could take many months, perhaps even several years.
This is a breaking story and will be updated.