International Court of Justice (ICJ) Rebukes Israel’s Aggression Against Palestinians in Gaza
The recent preliminary ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has garnered widespread support from international Muslim organizations and Arab countries. The Hague-based judicial body delivered a resounding rebuke of Israel’s aggression against the Palestinian people in Gaza, although it stopped short of ordering Israel to cease its operation. The majority of the 17-person ICJ panel called on Israel to limit deaths and damage caused by its military offensive.
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Mohammad Albudaiwi praised the ICJ’s verdict, stating that it aligns with international laws and treaties related to the protection of innocent civilians. Albudaiwi emphasized that Israel violated the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide by targeting civilian institutions and hospitals, resulting in the deaths and injuries of tens of thousands of innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip.
According to the Palestinian health ministry in Gaza, the Israeli offensive has claimed the lives of over 26,000 Palestinians, devastated much of Gaza, and displaced nearly 85 percent of its 2.3 million population. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which represents 57 Muslim states worldwide, emphasized that the ICJ ruling aims to prevent further genocidal acts and statements against the Palestinian people in Gaza. The OIC called on all parties involved to ensure Israel’s immediate compliance with the ICJ ruling and urged the international community to fulfill its responsibilities in protecting the Palestinian people.
The Makkah-based Muslim World League (MWL) also stressed the importance of ongoing efforts by the international community to halt the war and destruction, safeguard innocent civilians in Gaza, and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance into the enclave.
It is important to note that the ICJ ruling is only an interim one, and it may take several years for the full case brought by South Africa against Israel to be considered. Despite the ruling, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected it and vowed to continue the war, stating that Israel will do whatever is necessary to defend its country and people.
Israeli officials argued before the ICJ panel that the offensive was solely intended to target Hamas militants and not the Palestinian population as a whole. The Israeli offensive was a response to the “Al-Aqsa Flood” incident on October 27, in which around 3,000 Hamas commandos breached the Gaza-Israel barrier and launched attacks on Israeli communities and military bases along the border.
According to Israeli authorities, the attack resulted in the deaths of 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals, including 766 civilians and 373 security forces. The attackers also took approximately 250 civilian and military hostages, including foreigners attending a music festival in southern Israel and contract workers.
The ICJ’s preliminary ruling has brought international attention to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. It highlights the need for accountability and the protection of innocent civilians in conflict zones. The ICJ’s decision serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding international laws and treaties related to the prevention of genocide and the safeguarding of civilian lives during military operations.
As the case progresses, it remains to be seen how Israel will respond to the ICJ’s ruling and whether international pressure will lead to a resolution that prioritizes peace, justice, and the protection of human rights for all parties involved.