The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has issued an interim ruling in South Africa's genocide case against Israel, ordering Israel to take all measures to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza but not calling for an immediate halt to military operations. The ruling, delivered on Friday, marks a significant legal development but falls short of the ceasefire demanded by South Africa.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki welcomed the decision, stating that the judges ruled 'in favour of humanity and international law'. In contrast, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would 'continue to defend ourselves and our citizens while adhering to international law'. A final verdict on the genocide allegation is not expected for years; Israel has strongly denied the accusation, calling it 'baseless'.
The ICJ's provisional measures require Israel to prevent and punish incitement to genocide, ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza, and preserve evidence of alleged violations. However, the court did not order a ceasefire, a point emphasised by the US State Department, which noted that the ruling aligns with Washington's view that Israel has the right to defend itself under international law.
The ruling comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire. US media reported that CIA Director William Burns is due to meet Israeli, Qatari and Egyptian officials in the coming days to discuss a potential new truce. Meanwhile, Hamas released a video showing three female Israeli hostages, including two soldiers, urging the government to secure their release. The video is likely to increase pressure on Israel's leadership, which has faced criticism from hostage families.
The war began after Hamas attacked southern Israel on 7 October, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 240 hostages. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed 25,900 people, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The ICJ's interim ruling is a procedural step, and the court has not yet determined whether genocide has occurred.
