ICJ: Israel must ensure that it does not commit genocide

It is necessary that certain measures be taken to protect the Palestinian population, according to the International Court of Justice ICJ on Friday. Israel must, among other things, ensure that the military does not commit genocide or other acts covered by that legislation and that it does everything in its power to alleviate the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The country is ordered to report on the measures taken within one month.

South Africa has reported to the International Court of Justice ICJ in The Hague to investigate whether Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians with the war in Gaza. The court has been deliberating on the matter since January 11 and is announcing its interim decision today – the ICJ's final decision on whether Israel has indeed committed genocide could take years to investigate.

Israel, for its part, had asked the court to dismiss the report, but that request will not be heeded, it was already announced in Friday's introduction. Palestinians must be considered a group covered by the so-called Genocide Convention, the ICJ states, and that at least parts of South Africa's argumentation are reasonable.

• The facts and circumstances are sufficient to conclude that at least some of the Palestinians' rights to be protected against genocide and related prohibited acts under Article 3 of the Convention on Genocide, says Court President Joan E Donoghue.

South Africa's claim is that Israel's political leadership has the ambition to destroy the Gaza Strip and refers to several statements in its 84-page report. Decisions of the ICJ, the UN's highest court, are binding on all affiliated countries such as Israel, but the court lacks the mandate to enforce decisions.

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