The International Court of Justice issued an interim ruling with six legally binding provisions on Jan. 26. These provisions include orders for the Israeli army to prevent acts that might be considered genocide in Gaza, allow humanitarian aid into the strip, punish incitement to genocide, submit monthly reports and take measures to protect Palestinians. In this article we will look at what could be the next steps and how we arrived at this point. The court’s order did not grant South Africa’s main request to order Israel to suspend military airstrikes in Gaza and to call for a permanent cease-fire. Israel denied the allegations of genocide and accused South Africa of being used as a legal cover for Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the decision and stated that Israel will continue to defend itself and its citizens against Hamas while adhering to international law. Israel has been ordered by the ICJ to submit a report this month describing how it’s complying with the court’s orders and to keep evidence of any acts of genocide. Yoav Gallant, Israel’s defense minister, said Israel will not cease airstrikes on Gaza anytime soon and that regardless of the outcome, the case is an important contribution to mounting international pressure to end the war. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, stated that South Africa expects to keep pushing the case at a high level and has said that as a nation that fought and defeated apartheid, South Africa has a particular obligation to stand up for justice and fundamental human rights for all people everywhere. Other countries that supported South Africa’s case include Turkey, Jordan, Brazil, Colombia and Malaysia. The court also expressed “grave concern” about the welfare of Israeli hostages abducted by Palestinian militant group Hamas and called for their immediate release. Although the ICJ can issue demands on the countries it does not have the jurisdiction to enforce them or the rulings on disputes between states.
