The International Court of Justice in the Hague issued an order on Thursday directing Israel to take measures to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, including opening more land crossings to allow supplies such as food, water, fuel, and medical aid into the area. The case was brought by South Africa, accusing Israel of committing acts of genocide in response to attacks by Hamas. While Israel denies these claims and states that its military campaign is in self-defense and aimed at Hamas, not the Palestinian people, the court’s legally binding order requires Israel to ensure the provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance to Palestinians.
Israel declared war in response to a bloody cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, resulting in significant casualties and the displacement of tens of thousands of Palestinians. The U.N. and international aid agencies have reported that the entire Gaza population is struggling to access enough food, with many facing the risk of famine, particularly in the northern part of the region. The court’s order requires Israel to prevent actions by its military that could harm Palestinians’ rights under the Genocide Convention and to report back on its implementation of the measures within a month.
South Africa welcomed the court’s decision, emphasizing the need to protect the rights of the Palestinian people to exist. Israel has not yet commented on the order but had previously described the claims by South Africa as unfounded and an abuse of the Genocide Convention. Following the initial sealing of Gaza’s borders at the start of the conflict, Israel began allowing entry of humanitarian supplies, although aid deliveries have been hindered by military restrictions and hostilities.
The court highlighted the urgent humanitarian situation in Gaza, noting that famine has set in and that people have died from malnutrition and dehydration. Despite previous orders issued after hearings in South Africa’s case, the court stated that the consequences of the situation in Gaza have not been fully addressed. The Israeli military has inspected aid trucks, but there have been challenges in distributing aid within Gaza, particularly in the hard-hit northern part of the region.
Israel has been working on a plan to deliver aid by sea and has accused the United Nations, particularly UNRWA, of cooperating with Hamas. The court’s order is aimed at addressing the dire situation in Gaza and ensuring that Palestinians have access to essential supplies. While Israel has permitted the entry of humanitarian aid, challenges in distribution remain, and the court’s order emphasizes the need for immediate action to improve the humanitarian situation in the war-ravaged enclave.
