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Judges at the International Court of Justice stopped short of ordering Israel to suspend its military campaign in Gaza, but they issued a series of provisional measures instructing Israel to prevent the incitement of genocide and to ease the humanitarian plight of Gazans.
The judges at the ICJ in the Hague, also known as the World Court, did not accede to South Africa’s request for an emergency order requiring Israel to cease all military operations while it considers South Africa’s case accusing Israel of state-led genocide in the Gaza Strip.
The 17-judge panel noted “at least some of the acts and omissions committed by Israel in Gaza appear to be capable of falling within the provisions of the genocide convention.”
But the judges said Israel must take all steps to prevent any genocidal actions.
Speaking minutes after the ruling was announced, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the court ruling upheld Israel’s right to defend itself.
“Israel’s commitment to international law is unwavering. Equally unwavering is our sacred commitment to continue to defend our country and defend our people,” Netanyahu said. “Like every country, Israel has an inherent right to defend itself. The vile attempt to deny Israel this fundamental right is blatant discrimination against the Jewish state, and it was justly rejected.”
Israeli officials told POLITICO that while they took exception to some of the ICJ’s statements, they considered it a win for Israel that the court did not try to curtail its right to self-defense. “Many of the steps the court is asking for, we are already doing,” an Israeli official said.
Hamas greeted the ruling by firing a series of rockets into southern Israel.
