Gaza’s Health Ministry reported a toll of 174 Palestinians killed and 310 wounded within 24 hours of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling. Israel continues to intensify its bombings in the enclave. The attacks on healthcare facilities continued, with Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis losing power and three people killed in an attack on a residential home in Rafah.
The ICJ ordered Israel to take steps to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza. However, the court did not call for an immediate ceasefire.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) condemned the ongoing siege and targeting of al-Amal Hospital and its branch headquarters in Khan Younis for the sixth consecutive day. The hospital, along with its medical staff and around 7,000 displaced individuals seeking refuge, faces an imminent threat from Israeli bombardment.
In response to the ICJ’s interim ruling, the UK highlighted its stance that Israel is not committing genocide in Gaza. A Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office spokesperson expressed concerns about the case, deeming it unhelpful for achieving a sustainable ceasefire. The UK disagreed with the characterisation of Israel’s actions as genocide and criticised South Africa for bringing the case, considering it wrong and provocative.
The UK emphasised Israel’s right to defend itself. The UK maintained that an immediate pause leading to a permanent ceasefire is crucial to evacuate captives and facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
The ICJ’s orders to Israel include ceasing all acts of genocide, ensuring military restraint, preventing incitement of genocide, allowing essential services and humanitarian aid into Gaza, and submitting a progress report within a month.
Civil rights lawyer Michael Mansfield views the ruling as a significant provisional step but argues that there should have been an order for Israel to cease its military campaign. With over 26,000 people killed, Mansfield questions the justification for Israel’s self-defence claims.
The ruling is considered a binding judgment applicable to all member states. Mansfield suggests that governments, including the UK and the US, should reconsider their participation in any actions indicated by the international court. He proposes an embargo on selling arms or providing support to Israel that could contribute to attacks on civilian populations.
Experts acknowledge the significance of the ICJ’s interim orders during the Gaza crisis. Professor Gerry Simpson, an expert in international, notes that their immediate impact is limited. Simpson emphasises that the primary authority to halt Israel’s bombardment lies with Israel itself, complicating the narrative for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he contends with the rules-based order and defence of the West.
