The International Court of Justice Did Not Order A Ceasefire”. Called upon Israel to “Prevent and Punish Acts of Genocide”
All Global Research articles can be read in 51 languages by activating the Translate Website button below the author’s name (only available in desktop version).
To receive Global Research’s Daily Newsletter (selected articles), click here.
Click the share button above to email/forward this article to your friends and colleagues. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter and subscribe to our Telegram Channel. Feel free to repost and share widely Global Research articles.
New Year Donation Drive: Global Research Is Committed to the “Unspoken Truth”
***
It is 4:30pm (14:30 GMT) in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel. Here is a recap of some of the main developments you may have missed:
- The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) says that the situation in the Gaza Strip is “nothing less than catastrophic”.
- The International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent and punish acts of genocide, but stopped short of calling for a ceasefire.
- Gaza’s health ministry says Israel is deliberately targeting and besieging the Nasser and al-Amal hospitals in Khan Younis.
- The Israeli army has confirmed the death of one of its soldiers, bringing the total number of soldiers killed since October 7 to 557.
- The UN refugee agency has opened an investigation into the alleged involvement of several of its employees in the October 7 attacks in southern Israel by Hamas.
*
Palestine Hails Top UN Court’s Provisional Measures on Israel’s War on Gaza
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki has welcomed provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice on Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip.
“We call on all states to ensure that all provisional measures ordered by the Court are implemented, including by Israel, the occupying power,” al-Maliki stated, stressing that the world court’s decision constituted a “binding legal obligation”.
“States now have clear legal obligations to stop Israel’s genocidal war on the Palestinian people in Gaza and to make sure that they are not complicit,” he added.
Al-Maliki said that the international court’s decision is “an important reminder that no state is above the law”.
“It should serve as a wake-up call for Israel and actors who enabled its entrenched impunity,” he said.
Palestine welcomes the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice today. The ICJ judges assessed the facts and the law. They ruled in favor of humanity and international law.
We call on all states to ensure that all provisional measures ordered by the… pic.twitter.com/aLeVXRJNVl
— State of Palestine – MFA 🇵🇸🇵🇸 (@pmofa) January 26, 2024
*
‘Big Win’ for South Africa Despite ICJ Not Calling for Ceasefire: Analyst
The fact that the ICJ went on for almost 36 minutes making the case of why, first of all, there is a dispute between South Africa and Israel, that South Africa has the right to take this up with the ICJ – and second, that the ICJ has jurisdiction in the case of Gaza, then that means it suspects there is genocide taking place inside Gaza.
It will take up the case.
Basically the ICJ was making the case that there is every evidence that could lead to the fact that Israel is carrying out a genocide in Gaza. South Africa asked first and foremost for a ceasefire. But the principle here for a court of justice to accept the case and the fact that they want reports from Israel moving forward is, in a big way, a big win for South Africa.
I am saddened by the fact that there is no ceasefire, but I am not as saddened because I know that Israel is not going to carry out the ceasefire. We knew from the past two weeks that Israel was not going to abide by any ceasefire ruling.
*
UNRWA Investigates Staff Suspected of Role in Hamas Attacks: Report
The United Nations Palestinian agency (UNRWA) says it opened a probe into the alleged involvement of several of its employees in the October 7 attacks in southern Israel by Hamas, and that it had severed ties with these staff members.
“The Israeli authorities have provided UNRWA with information about the alleged involvement of several UNRWA employees in the horrific attacks on Israel on October 7,” the Reuters news agency quoted UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini as saying,
“To protect the agency’s ability to deliver humanitarian assistance, I have taken the decision to immediately terminate the contracts of these staff members and launch an investigation in order to establish the truth without delay.”
*
More Grain Ships Divert from Red Sea This Week After Attacks
More ships carrying grain were diverted from the Suez Canal to sailings around the Cape of Good Hope this week after attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, shipping analysts have said.
“Another 16 vessels were confirmed diverted this week, taking the total grain cargoes diverted to some 3.9 million tonnes, up from three million tonnes last week,” said Ishan Bhanu, lead agricultural commodities analyst at data provider and analysts Kpler.
About seven million tonnes of grain cargo normally transit the Suez Canal into the Red Sea each month.
Continued attacks on shipping by the Iran-aligned Houthi group despite US-led air attacks on the group’s positions in Yemen mean more bulk carriers transporting grain are avoiding the Red Sea.
“Many of the diverted ships are carrying US grain cargoes showing caution with this freight,” Bhanu said.
*
ICJ Orders Israel to Prevent, Punish Genocide, Stops Short of Calling for Ceasefire
The International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to take “all measures within its power to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide”.
The court said Israel must ensure its forces do not commit genocide and take measures to improve the humanitarian situation, but stopped short of ordering a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Israel must report to the court within a month on what it’s doing to uphold the order.
Follow our live coverage of the ICJ ruling here.
*
Israeli Soldier Killed in Gaza
Another Israeli soldier has been killed and 11 injured in the fighting in the southern Gaza Strip, Israel’s army says.
In a statement, the army said the number of Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza since October 7 has jumped to 557, including 220 soldiers killed since the start of the ground operation on October 27.
The total number of soldiers and officers wounded since the beginning of the ground operation on October 27 has risen to 1,269, an increase from 1,258 reported on Thursday.
The army data indicate that 258 individuals sustained serious injuries, 427 suffered moderate injuries and 584 had minor injuries.
The overall number of soldiers and officers wounded since the start of the war on October 7 now stands at 2,757.
*
Health Ministry Spokesman: Israeli Forces Targeting Nasser and al-Amal Hospitals
Gaza’s Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra says Israeli forces are “deliberately paralysing” the capabilities of the Nasser Medical Complex and al-Amal Hospital in Khan Younis.
Al-Qudra said the two hospitals are being subjected to Israeli fire and besiegement in addition to Israeli forces preventing ambulance movement.
*
Hundreds of Jordanians Protest in Solidarity with Gaza
Hundreds of Jordanians are protesting in the capital, Amman, in solidarity with Palestinians and calling for an end to the blockade of Gaza.
The protest, organized by the National Gathering for Resistance Support, started from al-Husseini Mosque in downtown Amman, and reached al-Nakheel Square, covering a distance of 1km (0.6 miles), according to an Anadolu Agency correspondent.
Despite heavy rain, the protesters carried banners with slogans such as “Open the Rafah Crossing” and “Break the blockade.”
*
UK’s Cameron Says He Sees Progress Towards Pausing Gaza Fighting: Report
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron has said after a Middle East tour that progress has been made towards a deal to halt fighting in Gaza, bring in more aid and release Israeli captives held there.
In an interview in Istanbul, his last stop on the tour, Cameron said that Israel is considering a British proposal to open its Ashdod Port to aid shipments to Gaza but that it would “take a lot of pushing” to reach an agreement.
“Achieving a pause where we stop the fighting and start looking at how to get aid in and hostages out, I think there is a prospect of that,” Cameron told Reuters news agency and a Turkish broadcaster.
“That’s what I’ve been in the region talking about. And I think we are making some progress.”
*
UNRWA Warns of Spread of Hepatitis A in Overcrowded IDP Camps
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) says the spread of hepatitis A is increasing at a rapid pace in informal camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Gaza due to overcrowding and a lack of clean water and sanitation.
“Suspected cases [are] almost 16 times higher in January so far compared to the whole of November 2023,” UNRWA said in a post on X.
📍#Gaza Hepatitis A infection is spreading across informal camps due to overcrowding and lack of clean water and proper sanitation.@UNRWA continues to monitor the situation, with suspected cases almost 16 times higher in January so far compared to the whole of November 2023. pic.twitter.com/fMIsZJ5cbq
— UNRWA (@UNRWA) January 26, 2024
*
How to Watch the ICJ Ruling
We’re about 30 minutes away from the start of the court session.
Follow here as we bring you all the latest developments and reactions from inside and outside the court.
And a reminder that you can watch live the proceedings here and here.
Click here to read the full update.
*
Note to readers: Please click the share button above. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter and subscribe to our Telegram Channel. Feel free to repost and share widely Global Research articles.
Featured image source
