On Thursday, the World Court ruled that Israel must take immediate action to stop the spread of famine in Gaza. The court demanded that Israel take all necessary steps to ensure basic food supplies reach the Palestinians in Gaza, as aid agencies reported that only a small fraction of the needed supplies were getting into the region.
The International Court of Justice judges emphasized that famine was becoming a real threat in Gaza and suggested increasing the capacity and number of land crossing points to address the issue. South Africa had requested these measures as part of a case accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. Hamas officials felt that the ruling did not go far enough and called for a ceasefire to end the suffering of the people in Gaza.
The UN Security Council recently voted for an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages, with the United States abstaining from the vote. Israel claimed to be making efforts to improve access for humanitarian aid but were criticized for not doing enough. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticized the number of trucks being blocked at the border as a “moral outrage.”
Israel’s foreign ministry has yet to respond to the World Court ruling. However, Israel has made efforts to provide aid through various means, but it remains insufficient according to aid agencies. The ruling is a significant step towards addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and ensuring that basic necessities such as food reach those who need them most.