The court did not agree to South Africa’s request for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza – something that will disappoint the South Africans and Palestinians alike

.But by large majorities the court’s 17 judges ruled, among other measures, that Israel should do everything in its power to avoid killing Palestinians, causing them serious bodily or mental harm or imposing measures intended to prevent Palestinian women from giving birth.

This is not the court’s final ruling on genocide – that’s likely to take several years. But the measures called for today are designed to make sure that while the judges consider South Africa’s fundamental charge against Israel, the Palestinians of Gaza enjoy some measure of protection.

Israel must now decide how to respond. The ICJ’s rulings are binding, but there’s no enforcement mechanism. Israel could choose to ignore the judges altogether. But with diplomatic efforts now apparently concentrating on the possibility of a two-month ceasefire, and efforts still being made to improve the flow of aid into the Gaza Strip, Israel may argue that it’s already taking steps to meet the court’s demands.

There was a lot of detail there. Here are the provisional measures the court has made:

  1. Israel must take all measures to prevent any acts that could be considered genocidal - killing members of a group, causing bodily harm, inflicting conditions designed to bring about the destruction of a group, preventing births
  2. Israel must ensure its military does not commit any genocidal acts
  3. Israel must prevent and punish any public comments that could be considered incitement to commit genocide in Gaza
  4. Israel must take measures to ensure humanitarian access
  5. Israel must prevent any destruction of evidence that could be used in a genocide case
  6. Israel must submit a report to the court within one month of this order being given

The court also expressed grave concern about the fate of hostages being held by Hamas and called for their immediate release.

Court calls on Israel to preserve evidence

The judge is now turning to the order requiring Israel to prevent the destruction of - and ensure the preservation of - evidence.

This order also includes not denying access to this evidence by fact-finding missions, international mandates and other bodies to Gaza.

The court voted 15 to 2 on this order. Source : BBC