The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an urgent order on Thursday affirming that a famine is beginning to set in in the Palestinian territory, specifically Gaza. The court ordered Israel to provide immediate humanitarian aid to the region without delay and on a large scale. This comes after South Africa filed a request before the ICJ expressing grave concern over the further impact of Israel’s military offensive in Rafah.
The war triggered by an attack by Hamas in Israel has exacerbated the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, with 100% of the population experiencing serious food insecurity. The majority of Gaza’s 2.4 million inhabitants face famine, according to the UN. While humanitarian aid arrives sporadically through land routes controlled by Israel, some countries are dropping supplies by air, sometimes at the cost of human lives.
South Africa had previously accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and welcomed the ICJ’s decision to order Israel to prevent such acts. However, it is important to note that the court’s orders are binding but have no means of enforcing them. Despite this, organizations and countries continue to work tirelessly to provide necessary aid and support for those affected by the crisis in Gaza.
