International Court Of Justice Issues New Orders For Israel

The International Court of Justice issued additional directives that strengthen and adjust its January judgement requiring Israel to take greater steps to stop the killing of civilians in Gaza. The fresh rulings, according to the highest court of the United Nations, were prompted by allegations that the situation in Gaza has "deteriorated," with starvation striking the territory.

The judges of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) unanimously demanded in their recent ruling that Israel "take all necessary and effective measures" to guarantee the provision of humanitarian aid and basic services to Palestinians in Gaza, including expanding the capacity of land-crossing sites for relief. Food, water, medical supplies and care, sanitation, energy, housing, and fuel must be provided "unhindered" and "at scale," according to the directive.

By a vote of 15 to 1, the judges also ordered Israel to make sure that its armed forces "do not commit acts which constitute a violation" of the rights of Palestinians in Gaza, who are recognised by the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide as a protected group.

Israeli Justice Aharon Barak, an ad hoc judge assigned by Israel to preside over the case, was the only vote in opposition. Barak also dissented on an otherwise unanimous section requiring Israel to submit a report to the court within one month outlining steps taken to comply with the new ICJ judgement. South Africa accused Israel of committing and failing to prevent genocide in December. 

The following month, the court issued a verdict requiring Israel to do more to minimise civilian fatalities in Gaza, allow more supplies into the enclave, and avoid the prospect of genocide – but it did not call for a ceasefire.

"Time and time again, Israel has failed to take the bare minimum steps humanitarians have desperately pleaded for that are clearly within its power to alleviate the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza," Heba Morayef, regional director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International, said in a statement in February, as humanitarian and rights groups have also raised concerns about Israel's disregard of the ICJ ruling in the last two months.