The International Court of Justice rejects the request to end the fighting in Gaza. Israel should ensure there is no genocide and allow aid.

Judges at the International Court of Justice in The Hague hear about Israel's fighting in Gaza Photo: Patrick Post/ap/dpa

GAZA/TEL AVIV/THE HAGUE dpa/ap/rtr/taz | The International Court of Justice does not force Israel to end the military operation in the Gaza Strip. On Friday in The Hague, the United Nations' highest court ordered Israel to take more protective measures for Palestinians.

South Africa, which filed the suit, wanted Israel to immediately end its military operations in the Gaza Strip. The judges did not follow this.

However, the Court specifically asked Israel to ensure that its troops in the Gaza Strip do not commit genocide. At the same time, Israel must ensure that the humanitarian situation in Gaza improves, the judges said. Israel must also provide humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. All parties to the conflict are subject to international law.

The first preliminary decision in the explosive genocide case against Israel did not yet address the main accusation of genocide; A decision on this could take years.

Genocide lawsuit not dismissed

ICJ President Joan E. Donoghue opened the meeting of the 17-member panel of judges on Friday and read the long-awaited decision from the UN's highest court. He stated that the ICJ would not reject the procedure. The panel concluded that it had jurisdiction and therefore could not dismiss the case.

The war caused many civilian casualties, widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and the displacement of an overwhelming majority of the coastal zone's population, Donoghue said. “The court recognizes the magnitude of the human tragedy unfolding in the region and is deeply concerned by the continued loss of life and human suffering.”

The Court expressed its deep concern at the continued loss of life in the Gaza Strip.

The Court's decisions are binding, even if it has no power to enforce them.

Israel deprived of the right to self-defense

South Africa filed a lawsuit against Israel in late December, accusing the country of violating the Genocide Convention. The basis for this is the “actions threatened, used, tolerated, undertaken and currently carried out by the government and military of the State of Israel against the Palestinian people as a result of the attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023,” it says. the accusation. , which was presented by members of the South African delegation in The Hague.

It is the first time that Israel has had to face charges of genocide before a UN court. At the hearing held at the Peace Palace in The Hague about two weeks ago, Israel's representative firmly rejected the accusations. “Israel is at war with (the Islamist organization) Hamas, but not with the Palestinian people,” said legal advisor to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Tal Becker. Israel also rejected calls to end the military operation. The reason given was that this would deprive the country of its right to self-defense.

The reason for the Gaza war was a devastating massacre carried out by Hamas and other extremists on October 7, 2023. About 1,200 people were killed and about 250 were kidnapped in Israel. Israel blames Hamas for the casualties and suffering of civilians in the Gaza Strip.