UN’s top court orders Israel to open more land crossings for aid into Gaza

The top UN court on Thursday ordered Israel to take measures including opening more land crossings to allow food, water, fuel and other supplies into Gaza to deal with acute shortages in the war-ravaged territory.

The International Court of Justice issued two new so-called provisional measures in a case brought by South Africa, accusing Israel of committing acts of genocide in a military campaign launched by Hamas following the October 7 attacks. Israel vehemently denies it is carrying out genocide and says its military operation is self-defense.

Thursday’s order came after South Africa called for more temporary measures, including a ceasefire, citing starvation in Gaza. Israel urged the court not to issue new orders.

In its legally binding order, the court called on Israel to ensure “without delay the largely uninterrupted provision to all parties concerned of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance”, including food, water, fuel and medical supplies. “Take measures.

It also ordered Israel to immediately ensure that its forces do not take actions that could harm the rights of Palestinians under the Genocide Convention, including “through any action, including preventing the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance.” Is.”

The court asked Israel to report in a month on the implementation of the orders. Israel’s Foreign Ministry had no immediate comment on the order.

In a written response earlier this month to South Africa’s request for more measures, Israel said the claims made by South Africa in its request were “completely unfounded in fact and law, morally repugnant, and in violation of the Genocide Convention.” And the courts represent an abuse of both.” yourself.”

After sealing Gaza’s borders in the early days of the war, Israel began flowing humanitarian supplies. It says it places no restrictions on the amount of humanitarian aid delivered to Gaza and accuses the UN of failing to properly organize deliveries. ,

The United Nations and international aid groups say deliveries have been hampered by Israeli military sanctions, ongoing hostilities and the breakdown of public order.

Israel is working with international partners on a plan to soon begin aid delivery by sea.

Israel has repeatedly quarreled with the United Nations, particularly UNRWA, the UN refugee agency for Palestinian refugees and the main provider of aid in Gaza. Israel accused the agency of tolerating Hamas and even collaborating with it – a charge UNRWA denies.

The court said in its order that “Palestinians in Gaza are now not only at risk of famine… but a situation of famine is emerging.” It cited a report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs that said at least 31 people, including 27 children, had already died of malnutrition and dehydration.

The world court said earlier orders imposed on Israel, following a landmark hearing in South Africa’s case, “do not fully address the consequences arising from the change in situation” in Gaza.

The Israeli military has repeatedly claimed that Israel is ready to provide unlimited amounts of aid to Gaza, but international aid organizations are unable to deliver the aid, causing obstruction. On Tuesday, the military said they inspected 258 aid trucks but only 116 were delivered by the United Nations within Gaza.

COGAT, the Israeli military body in charge of Palestinian civil affairs, has also run pilot programs to inspect humanitarian aid at Israel’s main checkpoints in the south and then use land crossings into central Gaza to attempt to deliver aid to the devastated north. . strip. He had no immediate comment on the ICJ’s decision.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – The Associated Press)