In its January 26 ruling, the ICJ specifically noted that Israel must ensure that IDF soldiers do not commit genocide in the Gaza Strip. Any public statements that could be classified as incitement to genocide must be prevented and punished if they occur. The court also wants Israel to take steps to provide humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. Israel also cannot be allowed to destroy evidence that could be used in a genocide case.
The court did not order a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu: Israel will continue the war
– Israel has the right to defend itself. “We will continue this war until the hostages return to Israel, until the Gaza Strip is no longer threatened, until we achieve complete victory,” he said.
The head of the Israeli government said the genocide allegations were “exaggerated”. He vowed that Israel would continue to do “whatever it takes” to defend itself.
Netanyahu fully confirmed the position previously expressed by other leading representatives of the authorities in Tel Aviv.
More questions surround the fate of the Gaza Strip after the end of military operations. In a video posted on January 11 on Platform X, Netanyahu declared that Israel has no intention of permanently occupying the Gaza Strip or expelling civilians from the Palestinian territories.
He also mentioned that armed forces are clashing with Hamas terrorists. At the same time, he tried to convince them that they were not fighting the Palestinian people. He said that all activities are being done as per international law.
South Africa's complaint to the ICJ
South Africa has complained to the International Court of Justice that Israel committed genocide against Palestinians. The ICJ began hearing the complaint on January 11.
The plaintiffs asked the judges to impose preliminary injunctions against Israel, including an immediate halt to Israeli military action in the Gaza Strip.
Judgment is interim
However, the decision announced on Friday was interim in nature, meaning the court did not comment on the genocide charges. The measures called for by the ICJ on Friday are aimed at ensuring that Palestinians in Gaza can enjoy some form of protection while judges consider the merits of the allegations in South Africa's application, the BBC reported.
The judgments of the court are legally binding and final, but practically unenforceable.
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