The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has issued a unanimous decision ordering Israel to enable the unhindered flow of aid into Gaza to prevent a famine crisis. The court's ruling comes in the context of the ongoing genocide case brought by South Africa against Israel.
The ICJ has compelled Israel to allow urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance into Gaza, including access to food, water, electricity, fuel, shelter, clothing, hygiene and sanitation requirements, and medical supplies. This decision aims to address the rising number of Palestinians facing starvation in the besieged enclave.
Israel has denied allegations of intentionally blocking aid into Gaza, stating that there is no limit on the amount of aid that can enter the strip. However, due to Israel's inspection regime on aid trucks, only a fraction of the necessary supplies are currently reaching Gaza, exacerbating the hunger crisis.
UN experts have accused Israel of contributing to the starvation of Palestinians in Gaza by imposing severe restrictions on aid shipments. The situation has led to a significant depletion of essential supplies in the region, with half of Gaza's population projected to face catastrophic hunger by mid-July.
The ICJ's ruling reaffirms the need for Israel to take immediate action to prevent genocide in Gaza and ensure the well-being of the Palestinian population. The court's decision underscores the urgency of allowing sufficient aid to flow into Gaza to address the humanitarian crisis and avert a potential famine.