Judges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Thursday unanimously ordered Israel to take all necessary and effective measures to ensure that basic food supplies reach the Palestinian population in Gaza without delay.
The ICJ said Palestinians in Gaza face worsening living conditions and that hunger and starvation are spreading.
“The court observes that Palestinians in Gaza no longer face only the risk of famine… but that famine is beginning,” the judges said in their order.
The new measures were requested by South Africa as part of its ongoing case accusing Israel of state-led genocide in Gaza.
In January, the ICJ, also known as the World Court, ordered Israel to refrain from any acts that might fall under the Genocide Convention and to ensure that its troops did not commit genocidal acts against Palestinians in Gaza.
In Thursday’s order, the court reaffirmed the January measures but added that Israel must take steps to ensure the unimpeded provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance, including food, water and electricity, as well as supplies and medical care to the Palestinians. throughout Gaza.
The judges added that this could be achieved by “increasing the capacity and number of land border crossings and keeping them open for as long as necessary.” The court ordered Israel to submit a report a month after the order to detail how it had given effect to the ruling.
