By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
THE HAGUE/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – The United Nations’ top court ruled Friday that Israel must take all measures “to prevent genocidal acts” in Gaza but stopped short of ordering an immediate halt to operations or condemning Israel for genocide.
Judges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands, gave their interim ruling in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel.
A large majority of the ICJ’s 17-judge panel voted for urgent measures, which observers said covered most of what South Africa asked.
But the notable exception in the ruling was ordering a halt to military action in Gaza or condemning Israel for “genocide,” something that could last years.
South Africa had asked the court for an immediate ceasefire.
Joan Donoghue said the ICJ ordered Israel “to refrain from any acts that could fall under the genocide convention and also ensure that its troops did not commit any genocidal acts in Gaza.” It also ordered an improvement in the humanitarian situation.
The ruling specified that “Israel must take all measures to prevent any acts that could be considered genocidal,” such as killing members of a group, causing bodily harm, inflicting conditions designed to bring about the destruction of a group, preventing births.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Also, Israel must prevent and punish any public comments that could be considered incitement to commit genocide in Gaza, according to the ruling accepted by a majority of 15 to 2.
Judge Donoghue cited Israel’s defense minister, Yoav Gallant, as saying he had ordered a “complete siege” of Gaza City, that “we will eliminate everything,” and that Israel was fighting “human animals.”
The judge noticed that Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, had been heard saying: “It’s an entire nation out there that is responsible.”
She also demanded that Israel must prevent any destruction of evidence that could be used in a genocide case. Israel must submit a report to the court within one month of this order being given.
Later, the ICJ also expressed “grave concern” about the fate of hostages being held by Hamas and called for their immediate release.
Soon after the ruling, South Africa said Friday’s order “doesn’t work without a ceasefire.”
Speaking to reporters outside the court, South Africa’s Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor added: “I would have wanted that the word cessation is included in the judgment, but I’m satisfied with the directions that have been given.”
LANDMARK RULING
Asked by a journalist whether she thinks Israel “will conform to the orders,” she replied she’s “never really been hopeful about Israel.”
In the controversial remarks, she said she hopes the country’s “powerful friends” will advise it to comply with the order.
The South African government also released a statement welcoming the court orders and calling the judgment a “landmark ruling.”
In a reaction, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the state of Israel would continue to defend itself after suffering the worst atrocity in its modern-day history.
On October 7, over 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage inside Israel by Hamas, a day often referred to as “Black Sabbath.”
The Hamas-run ministry claims Israel’s retaliatory attacks in Gaza have killed 25,900 people, “mostly women and children,” but it has been impossible to verify these figures independently.
Netanyahu stressed that “We will continue to defend ourselves and our citizens while adhering to international law.”
CONTINUING WAR
He also said that “Israel is fighting a just war like no other.”
The prime minister added: “We will continue this war until absolute victory until all hostages are returned and Gaza is no longer a threat to Israel.”
He spoke as large opposing groups of pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian supporters gathered outside the ICJ in The Hague.
Police were ensuring that the pro-Israel march kept away from a pro-Palestinian march after previous antisemitic incidents.
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.
Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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