Israel has faced new provisional measures from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) following a second request by South Africa on March 6 regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The court instructed Israel to take all necessary and effective steps, coordinating with the United Nations, to ensure unhindered access to humanitarian aid for the Gaza population of 2.3 million people, including one million children.
The ICJ emphasized the need for Israel to increase the capacity and number of land crossings for aid delivery, keep them open for as long as necessary, and ensure that its military forces do not violate the rights of Palestinians in Gaza. Israel must submit a report within one month on compliance with these additional measures.
South Africa has hailed the decision as significant and has stressed that it is necessary to address changing circumstances in Gaza with new strategies. They believe that complying with the court’s directives will help end military operations in Gaza and uphold the sanctity of humanity.
In late December, South Africa filed a complaint against Israel with the ICJ accusing them of genocide in Gaza. This complaint was prompted by a bloody military offensive that resulted in over 32,500 deaths. The ICJ’s decision and implementation of provisional measures are seen as crucial steps towards resolving the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and holding Israel accountable.