APA-Pretoria (South Africa) The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday ordered Israel to limit deaths of civilians and damage in its military offensive against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip but stopped short of ordering a ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave.
In a genocide case brought by South Africa against the Jewish state, the panel of 17 ICJ judges ordered Israel to take immediate steps to ensure compliance with the Genocide Convention, which was ironically established in 1948 after atrocities committed during World War II, including the Holocaust against Jews.
“The court is acutely aware of the extent of the human tragedy that is unfolding in the region and is deeply concerned about the continuing loss of life and human suffering,” ICJ president Joan E. Donoghue said.
Donoghue said Israel must “take all measures within its power to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide in relation to members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip” as well as preserve evidence and provide a report to the court within one month detailing its compliance.
The court did not, however, order a ceasefire in Gaza as demanded by South Africa in its application.
It also ruled against Israel’s request to have South Africa’s case thrown out.
South Africa had filed a case with the court earlier this month arguing that Israel’s military operation in Gaza amounted to a state-led genocide.
President Cyril Ramaphosa was due to address fellow South Africans on the ICJ ruling on Friday night.
JN/APA