The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued new provisional measures against Israel on Thursday in response to a second request from South Africa regarding the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. In its brief, South Africa asked the ICJ to implement new precautionary measures or modify previous ones to ensure the safety of 2.3 million Palestinians living in Gaza, including over one million children.
The court has instructed Israel to take all necessary and effective measures, working with the United Nations, to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches the Gaza population unimpeded. This includes food, water, electricity, fuel, shelter, clothing, hygiene and sanitation supplies as well as medical care and equipment. The court also emphasized the need for Israel to increase the capacity and number of land crossings for aid delivery and keep them open for as long as necessary.
Additionally, Israel has been ordered to take steps to prevent its armed forces from committing actions that could violate the rights of Palestinians in Gaza, including any actions that hinder the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Israel must submit a report within one month detailing compliance with these additional measures.
The South African government has welcomed this decision by the ICJ and stressed the importance of implementing new strategies to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They believe that changing circumstances warrant a different approach to tackling this issue. South Africa also highlighted the need for compliance with ICJ directives to end military operations in Gaza and preserve human dignity.
In December 2018, South Africa filed a complaint against Israel with the ICJ accusing it of genocide in Gaza following a military offensive that resulted in over 32,500 deaths. The decision by the ICJ and implementation of provisional measures are seen as crucial steps towards resolving this crisis and holding Israel accountable.
South Africa’s ambassador to Egypt said: “We believe that this decision is an important step towards ensuring that Palestinians living in Gaza receive adequate support from international community.”
The Israeli government has yet to respond publicly to this decision but has historically denied any accusations of genocide against Palestinians.
The conflict between Israel and Palestine dates back decades with both sides claiming rights over land disputes.
The ruling came after years of protests by Palestinian residents against Israeli occupation policies.
