Tag: ICJ

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UN Urges Israel to Comply with ICJ Ruling on Gaza Amidst Allegations and Humanitarian Concerns

In a significant development, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed hope that Israel would “duly comply” with the recent ruling from the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The court ordered Israel to take immediate action to prevent acts of genocide in war-torn Gaza, following a landmark case initiated by South Africa.

Guterres, through spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, emphasized the legally binding nature of ICJ decisions and urged all parties to comply with the court’s order. Despite the ICJ’s decision being binding, Israel had previously indicated its unwillingness to abide by the ruling.

The ICJ’s ruling, issued on Friday, called for Israel to “take all measures” to limit the death and destruction caused by its campaign in Gaza, but stopped short of explicitly calling for a ceasefire. This decision comes amidst the UN chief’s repeated calls for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza due to concerns about the unprecedented number of civilian casualties and the catastrophic humanitarian situation.

Meanwhile, Australia has decided to “temporarily pause” the disbursement of recent funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) following allegations that some of its staff were involved in the October 7 terror attacks on Israel. Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that the allegations are deeply concerning, and while Australia welcomes UNRWA’s swift response, it will temporarily halt funding as investigations proceed.

The main UN agency operating in Gaza, UNRWA, revealed on Friday that Israel had accused some of its staff of involvement in the October 7 attacks, leading to the immediate termination of their contracts. The United States has also announced a pause in funding in response to these allegations.

Additionally, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has raised alarms about declining humanitarian access in parts of Gaza. Israeli protesters, organized by families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, blocked aid trucks from entering through the Kerem Shalom border crossing on Thursday and Friday. OCHA warned that the inability to deliver food, water, and medical aid would worsen the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The protests at Kerem Shalom have disrupted aid deliveries, with families demanding the return of all abductees before allowing aid to reach Gaza. OCHA reported that only about 15 percent of planned humanitarian aid missions in northern Gaza between January 1-25 were facilitated, with 29 being denied.

The situation in Rafah, a southern governorate with 1.3 million Palestinians, has been highlighted by the head of the UN Human Rights Office, Ajith Sunghay. He expressed deep concern about deteriorating conditions, with displaced people living on the streets amid sewage and conditions conducive to a complete breakdown in order. Sunghay emphasized the urgent need for unimpeded humanitarian aid delivery to all those in need.

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Netanyahu Declares Unyielding Resolve to Destroy Hamas Despite International Legal Scrutiny

Israeli Prime Minister rejects ICJ accusations of genocide and vows to continue offensive against Hamas.

In a defiant statement marking the 100th day of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that “nobody will stop us” from destroying the militant group, dismissing the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusations as a “hypocritical onslaught.”

Key Points:

  1. Unwavering Determination: Netanyahu emphasized during a press briefing that Israel would not comply with the ICJ’s potential orders to halt its offensive against Hamas. He stated, “Nobody will stop us – not The Hague, not the axis of evil, and not anybody else,” referring to Iran and its aligned groups in the Middle East.
  2. Genocide Accusations: Responding to genocide claims brought by South Africa at the ICJ, Netanyahu dismissed them as part of an orchestrated effort to “perpetrate another Holocaust against the Jews.” He labeled the accusations a “moral low point in the history of nations.”
  3. Antisemitic Allegations: Netanyahu claimed that antisemitic materials, including copies of Adolf Hitler’s “Mein Kampf,” were found in Hamas tunnels in Gaza. He further alleged the discovery of a child’s tablet with a screensaver featuring Hitler in a Gaza home.
  4. Closing the Philadelphi Corridor: Netanyahu stressed the necessity of closing the Philadelphi Corridor, a 14km strip between Egypt and Gaza, to gain complete control over Gaza. He argued that leaving the border with Egypt accessible could jeopardize Israel’s war gains.
  5. Egyptian Response: In response to Netanyahu’s statements, Egyptian foreign ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zeid asserted that Egypt remains in full control of its borders. He stated that any discussions about the border are subject to legal and security agreements between the involved countries.

Netanyahu’s remarks underscore the deep-seated tensions in the region, with Israel showing no signs of relenting in its offensive against Hamas, despite international legal challenges and accusations.