The International Court of Justice (ICJ) declared on Thursday that “famine is setting in” in the Palestinian territory and ordered Israel to provide urgent humanitarian aid to Gaza. In a statement published on its website, the ICJ stated that Israel must fulfill its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide by ensuring the provision of urgently required basic services and humanitarian assistance in Gaza without delay and on a large scale.
The ICJ’s decision comes as South Africa files a new request before the court expressing grave concern over the massacres, injuries, and large-scale destruction caused by Israel’s ground military offensive in Rafah. While the ICJ’s orders are binding, it has no means of enforcing them. Despite this, countries around the world continue to provide support through various means to address the growing crisis in Gaza.
The situation in Gaza has led to widespread famine among the population, with the UN warning that 100% of the inhabitants are facing serious food insecurity. The orders from the ICJ are important in addressing these urgent humanitarian needs but remain a challenge for enforcement. To address this crisis, countries have been parachuting supplies into Gaza via air drops or other means. However, despite these efforts, Israel maintains strict control over humanitarian aid by land, making it difficult for people to access basic necessities like food and water.
The conflict triggered by Hamas has not only resulted in a human toll but also led to a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. As such, there is an urgent need for international intervention to ensure that Israel provides adequate humanitarian aid to those who need it most. The international community should work together to put pressure on Israel to fulfill its obligations under international law and provide immediate relief to those affected by this crisis.