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Wednesday, December 11, 2024

World Court Orders Israel to Take Action to Prevent Genocide in Gaza

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THE HAGUE — The World Court on Friday ordered Israel to take action to prevent acts⁣ of ‌genocide ⁣as it wages war against Hamas militants in the Gaza‍ Strip, but it stopped short of‍ calling ‌for an immediate cease-fire.

Ruling ‍on a case ‍brought ⁤by South‍ Africa, the court said Israel must ensure its forces did not commit genocide and take measures to ‌improve the humanitarian situation for Palestinian civilians in the enclave.

In ‍the ruling, 15 of the 17 ‍judges on the⁣ International Court of Justice panel voted for emergency measures that covered most of what South Africa asked for, with‍ the notable exception of ordering a halt to Israeli military action in Gaza.

Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

Israel’s military operation has laid‍ waste to much of the densely populated enclave and killed more than 25,000 Palestinians in nearly four months, ⁢according to Gaza health authorities.

Israel unleashed its assault after a cross-border rampage on Oct. 7 by Hamas militants. Israeli officials said 1,200 people were killed, mostly‌ civilians, and 240 were taken hostage.

Call for ​Immediate Release of Hostages

The⁣ court said it​ was ‌”gravely concerned” about the fate of the hostages ‍in Gaza‍ and called on‌ Hamas and other armed groups⁣ to immediately release⁣ them without conditions.

But the ‍ruling, ​welcomed by Palestinians, will still be an embarrassment ‍for Israel and ​its closest ⁤allies, including ‌the United States.

Israel’s Response

Israel had asked the court to reject the case outright, saying it respects international law and has a right⁤ to defend itself.

“The state of Israel‌ shall … take all measures ‍within its‌ power ⁣to prevent ⁢the commission of ⁢all acts within the scope of⁤ Article II of the Genocide Convention,” the court said.

International Reaction

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‌ said the charge of genocide leveled against ​Israel ‌was “outrageous” and said it would⁤ do ‌whatever ‍is necessary to defend itself.

“The vile attempt to deny Israel this‍ fundamental right is blatant‌ discrimination against the Jewish state, and it‍ was justly ⁢rejected,” he said in a statement.

Enforcement of the Court’s ‍Decisions

But while the ICJ’s‌ decisions are final and without appeal,‍ the court has no ⁤way ⁢to ⁤enforce ⁢them.

The court did ‌not rule at this stage on the core ⁢of the ‌case brought by South Africa — whether genocide has occurred in Gaza. But it ​recognized the right of Palestinians in ⁣Gaza to be⁤ protected from acts of genocide.

South Africa’s Reaction

South Africa’s Deputy President Paul Mashatile and Justice Minister Ronald Lamola ​were seen cheering and dancing at a gathering of the governing⁢ African National‌ Congress party following the court’s verdict.

South Africa argued two weeks ago that Israel’s aerial and ​ground offensive was aimed ‍to ⁢bring about “the destruction of the population” ‌of‍ Gaza.

Genocide Convention

The 1948 Genocide Convention, enacted in the wake of the mass murder of Jews in the ​Nazi Holocaust,‍ defines genocide as “acts committed ‍with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial‍ or religious group”.

Acts‌ of genocide named ⁢in the convention⁣ include killing members of the group, causing serious bodily or‍ mental harm to⁣ members of the group and deliberately inflicting conditions ⁤of life ‍calculated to bring about the⁣ destruction of the group in whole or in part.

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Truth Media Network
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2 COMMENTS

  1. Israel needs to be held accountable for the ongoing human rights violations in Gaza. The world court’s decision is a crucial step towards justice and preventing further atrocities. #PreventGenocide #Accountability

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