Middle East crisis live: ICJ orders Israel to ‘take all measures within its power’ to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza | Israel-Gaza war
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International court of justice orders Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza
Judge Donoghue says the court has decided that Israel must “take all measures within its its power” to prevent all acts within the scope of the genocide convention.
Shesays it must ensure “with immediate effect” that its forces do not commit any of the acts covered by the convention.
It must also take immediate measures to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, she says.
Key events
ICJ orders Israel to take measures to prevent and punish direct incitement of genocide
Judge Donoghue has ordered Israel to take measures to prevent and punish the direct incitement of genocide. The ruling has created international legal obligations for Israel. She said all parties in the Gaza Strip are bound by international law. The ruling has also been read out in French.
The court has heard that Israel must ensure the preservation of evidence of alleged genocide. Judge Donoghue ordered Israel to report to the court within a month.
International court of justice orders Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza
Judge Donoghue says the court has decided that Israel must “take all measures within its its power” to prevent all acts within the scope of the genocide convention.
Shesays it must ensure “with immediate effect” that its forces do not commit any of the acts covered by the convention.
It must also take immediate measures to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, she says.
ICJ recognises right of Palestinians in Gaza to be protected from acts of genocide
Judge Donoghue, speaking now at the ICJ, said at least some rights sought by South Africa in its genocide case against Israel’s war in Gaza are plausible. She said: “A link exists between the rights claimed by South Africa that the court has found plausible and at least some of the provisional measures requested.”
With the reading still ongoing, the court said it recognises the right of Palestinians in Gaza to be protected from acts of genocide. Palestinians appear to be a protected group under the genocide convention, the court said.
Friday’s ruling at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) does not deal with the core accusation of the case – whether genocide occurred – but will focus on the urgent intervention sought by South Africa.
Judge Donoghue is detailing comments made by Israeli officials during the war, including:
The defence minister, Yoav Gallant, saying he had ordered “complete siege” of Gaza City”, that “we will eliminate everything” and that Israel was fighting “human animals”.
The president, Isaac Herzog, saying: “It’s an entire nation out there that is responsible.”
A bit of background on what “prima facie” means in this case from our explainer:
In order to gain any temporary measures on Friday, South Africa does not need to prove that genocide has taken place. All it needs to prove is that the court has jurisdiction at first glance, or “prima facie”, and that some of the acts it complains of – in this case including the death toll and forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza – could fall under the genocide convention.
ICJ rules it has jurisdiction over the genocide case
Judge Donoghue says the court concludes it has “prima facie” (or first glance) jurisdiction on this case, meaning it can continue.
ICJ rules it will not throw out genocide case at Israel’s request
“The court considers that it cannot accede to Israel’s request that the case be removed from the general list,” Judge Joan E Donoghue says.
Pjotr Sauer
Large opposing groups of pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian supporters have gathered outside the international court of justice in The Hague as the court began its interim ruling on South Africa’s allegation that the war in Gaza amounts to genocide against Palestinians.
Police are ensuring that the pro-Israel march was kept away from a pro-Palestinian march.
Pro-Israel protesters were carrying Dutch and Israeli flags and pictures of people taken hostage by Hamas during the 7 October attack in Israel.
“We need all the hostages to come back immediately,” said Rafael, a pro-Israel supporter.
Judge Joan E Donoghue sits down and begins court order at the ICJ
Judge Joan E Donoghue has sat down in the ICJ and started the court order. She begins by laying out the Hamas attacks on the 7 October and how Israel responded. Donoghue mentions “massive casualties” and “extensive destruction” of infrastructure in Gaza. She also said it had resulted in “the displacement of the overwhelming majority of the population in Gaza.”
The legal teams representing Israel and South Africa have sat down. They are awaiting the arrival of Judge Joan E. Donoghue, the president of the court, who will read out the court order.
Our Russian affairs reporter, Pjotr Sauer, is at The Hague and will be bringing you updates from the ground throughout the afternoon.
British foreign secretary David Cameron said after a Middle East tour on Friday that progress has been made towards a deal to halt fighting in Gaza, bring in more aid and release Israeli hostages held there, Reuters reports.
In an interview in Istanbul, his last stop on the tour, Cameron said that Israel is considering a British proposal to open its Ashdod port to aid shipments to Gaza but that it would “take a lot of pushing” to reach an agreement.
“Achieving a pause where we stop the fighting and start looking at how to get aid in and hostages out, I think there is a prospect of that,” Cameron told Reuters and a Turkish broadcaster.
“That’s what I’ve been in the region talking about. And I think we are making some progress.”
Pjotr Sauer
About 200 Palestinian supporters in The Hague have started their march from the city centre towards the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ahead of the expected interim ruling from the court on South Africa’s allegation that the war in Gaza amounts to genocide against Palestinians, an emergency measure that could expose Israel to international sanctions. Some protesters are carrying placards reading “Free Palestine. Stop genocide.”
“I hope on a positive outcome from today’s ruling. We need a permanent ceasefire right now. All the civilian deaths are absolutely heartbreaking, it needs to stop right now,” said Jasmine, a pro-Palestinian demonstrator.
A German government spokesperson has said Germany will respect the outcome of the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) interim ruling in South Africa’s case alleging genocide by Israel in Gaza, Reuters reports.
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