Israel defying global court order in genocide case, Human Rights Watch warns
The global court ordered Israel in January, to take immediate measures to ensure the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The Israeli Government has failed to comply with at least one measure in the legally binding order from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in South Africa's genocide case, Human Rights Watch said on Monday.
Citing warnings about "catastrophic conditions" in besieged Gaza, the global court ordered Israel in January, to take immediate measures to ensure the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian aid, and to report back on its compliance with the specific measures within one month.
More To Read
- Crimes against children in conflict surge to worst-ever level in 2024 - report
- In a quiet community on Doha’s edge, Gaza’s wounded and orphaned learn to heal
- ICJ tells Israel to let UN aid flow into Gaza – but UN’s own failures throughout the war loom large
- UN report accuses over 60 governments of enabling Gaza genocide through arms and trade ties
- Gaza: 91 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes as truce falters
- Kenyan Muslims mark one year of humanitarian support for Gaza with major Nairobi event
Human Rights Watch reported today at the ICJ that despite a month passing since the World Court's order, Israel is still impeding the delivery of essential services and the entry and distribution of fuel and life-saving aid in Gaza.
This obstruction, the human body says constitutes collective punishment and is deemed as war crimes, including the use of starvation as a weapon against civilians.
"The Israeli government is starving Gaza's 2.3 million Palestinians, putting them in even more peril than before the World Court's binding order," said Omar Shakir, Israel and Palestine director at Human Rights Watch.
"The Israeli government has simply ignored the court's ruling, and in some ways even intensified its repression, including further blocking lifesaving aid."
The rights watch body urged countries to use "all forms of leverage, including sanctions and embargoes", to press the Israeli government to comply with the court's binding orders in the genocide case.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he will convene his Cabinet early this week "to approve the operational plans for action in Rafah," including the evacuation of civilians.
About 1.5 million people are taking refuge in the city, with American officials saying they cannot support an Israeli ground offensive there without a credible plan for their protection.
Top Stories Today
