Twelve Israeli human rights organisations have jointly signed an open letter accusing the country of failing to comply with the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) provisional ruling regarding humanitarian aid to Gaza. The ICJ’s ruling came in response to South Africa’s complaint, which alleged genocide during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
The ICJ’s decision outlined measures, which include preventing harm to civilians, facilitating immediate humanitarian aid, preventing incitement to genocide, and preserving evidence of wrongful acts during the conflict. The Israeli human rights organisations say that the country has not fulfilled its legal obligation to implement these measures.
Among the signatories are Breaking the Silence and the Association for Civil Rights in Israel.
The international community has intensified its focus on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, with the United States and other countries resorting to airdropping aid. Additionally, the US and the European Union have ordered opening a sea corridor to ensure humanitarian access to the region. Israel now faces renewed pressure to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, both domestically and internationally. There are accusations from human rights organisations that the country should take action to provide much-needed assistance to the affected population. A Spanish charity ship is preparing to sail from Cyprus to deliver 200 tonnes of food to Gaza. The vessel plans to transport the aid through a barge towed behind it.
The letter indicates a 50% drop in humanitarian aid to Gaza following the ICJ’s provisional ruling. The civil society groups call for an immediate ceasefire and the return of hostages and stress the urgency of Israel’s compliance with the ICJ order to implement provisional measures to address the situation in Gaza.
In response to the ICJ’s provisional order, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the court’s willingness to discuss genocide allegations, labelling it a “mark of shame.”
Amnesty International claimed that Israel’s obstruction of humanitarian aid access to Gaza forced the population to the brink of famine. Amnesty International’s regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, Heba Morayef, accused Israel of creating one of the worst humanitarian crises globally. Morayef alleged that Israel displayed callous indifference to Gaza’s population, placing them at imminent risk of genocide as per the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
As Ramadan begins in Gaza, Israeli forces reportedly prevented hundreds of Palestinians from entering the al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem, according to media reports. US President Biden requested for a six-week cessation of hostilities during Ramadan, but Israel refused to heed the call. The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) repeated its appeal for an immediate ceasefire during the holy month.
At least 31,045 Palestinians have been killed and 72,654 injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza since 7 October.