On Thursday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) declared that famine is imminent in the Palestinian territory and ordered Israel to provide urgent humanitarian aid to Gaza. In a statement on its website, the ICJ emphasized that Israel must fulfill its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide by ensuring that basic services and humanitarian assistance are provided without delay on a large scale in Gaza.
The court recommended that aid should be provided by increasing the capacity and number of land crossing points, keeping them open as long as necessary. South Africa filed a new request with the ICJ expressing grave concern over the massacres, injuries, and destruction caused by Israel’s ground military offensive in Rafah.
While the ICJ’s orders are binding, it has no means of enforcing them. The conflict triggered by Hamas has led to a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where the majority of the population faces food insecurity. Despite strict control over humanitarian aid by land, some countries have parachuted supplies into Gaza.
The situation in Gaza has resulted in widespread famine among its inhabitants, with the UN warning that 100% of them are facing serious food insecurity. The orders from the ICJ are crucial in addressing these urgent humanitarian needs but enforcing them remains a challenge. Countries around the world continue to support various initiatives aimed at resolving this growing crisis in Gaza.
