The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the primary judicial branch of the United Nations, has issued a significant preliminary judgment on Israel’s military actions in Gaza. In response to a request from South Africa, the court has mandated Israel to minimize civilian casualties but has not called for a cease-fire. This ruling is part of a long-running case addressing issues of genocide and the displacement of Palestinians.
The ICJ’s ruling instructs Israel to take necessary measures to protect Palestinian civilians and their infrastructure, diverging from South Africa’s immediate request for a halt to all military activities. ICJ President Joan Donoghue highlighted Israel’s duty to prevent any acts or rhetoric that could incite genocide against Palestinians, including managing inflammatory statements from Israeli politicians.
Israel has been ordered to submit a report within one month outlining the steps it has taken to protect civilians, ensuring active implementation of these measures. Donoghue emphasized the urgency of the situation and the imminent risk of irreparable harm to Palestinian rights.
The ICJ dismissed Israel’s request to reject the genocide case brought by South Africa, asserting its jurisdiction based on allegations of genocide in Gaza. The court’s focus for now is on whether the allegations fall within its jurisdiction, with the determination of actual violations of Israel’s obligations to be addressed later.
