Rights group says ICJ ruling is 'clear indication' of Israel’s failure to comply with previous measures

LONDON

Additional measure ordered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) proves "Israel's failure" to comply with the previous legally binding measures issued by the court, according to Amnesty International on Friday.

Citing the latest announcement by the ICJ ordering additional provisional measures, including "unhindered provision" of aid to Gaza, the rights group recalled that this came just a few days after Israel decided to block the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

"This new ruling must serve as a critical reminder to all states of their clear duty to prevent genocide which requires them to ensure that all of the ICJ’s provisional measures are duly implemented," Amnesty International wrote on X.

It stressed that states must do everything in their power to prevent genocide and use any capacity they have to influence Israel’s actions, as well as stop the onslaught in Gaza.

"An immediate ceasefire remains the most effective means to alleviate suffering in Gaza & ensure implementation of the ICJ measures," added the statement.

Noting that although the ICJ did not explicitly order a cease-fire, it said a number of the court’s judges indicated that the suspension of Israel’s military operations was necessary to give full effect to the ICJ’s provisional measures order.

Early Thursday, the ICJ indicated additional provisional measures, including "unhindered provision" of aid to Gaza, in the ongoing genocide case against Israel on South Africa's request.

"The catastrophic living conditions of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have deteriorated further," said the ICJ order, referring to the change in the situation since its interim ruling on Jan. 26.

South Africa filed a case at the ICJ in late 2023, accusing Israel of failing to uphold its commitments under the 1948 Genocide Convention.

It had asked the court to rule on interim measures, including that Israel immediately cease its military operations in Gaza, take reasonable measures to prevent the genocide of Palestinians, and ensure that displaced people return to their homes and have access to humanitarian assistance.

South Africa on March 6 requested additional provisional measures based on the change in the situation.

The ICJ said it indicated new measures as the provisional measures included in the earlier order "do not fully address the consequences arising from the changes in the situation."

"Palestinians in Gaza are no longer facing only a risk of famine, as noted in the Order of 26 January 2024, but that famine is setting in," it added.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

Israel has waged a deadly military offensive on Gaza since an Oct. 7 cross-border attack led by Hamas in which nearly 1,200 Israelis were killed.

More than 32,500 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have since been killed in Gaza, and nearly 75,000 injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities.