UN Top Court Sets to Rule on Call for Israel to Stop Military Action in Gaza
The United Nations (UN) top court is to decide whether to issue emergency measures ordering Israel to halt its operations in Gaza.
The session of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) today is part of a case brought by South Africa alleging that Israel is committing genocide.
Both countries testified when the case opened two weeks ago. Israel has vehemently rejected the allegation.
A ruling against Israel is not enforceable by the court but would be politically significant.
More than 25,000 Palestinians – mostly women and children – have been killed and tens of thousands injured, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, since Israel began its offensive, triggered by an unprecedented attack on Israel by the group.
Read Also:
Trump Closes To Republican Nomination After Big Hampshire Win
The Hamas attack on 7 October killed about 1,300 people, mainly civilians. The attackers also took about 250 people back to Gaza as hostages.
In reaching a ruling today, the 17 judges – 15 permanent justices, plus one each from South Africa and Israel – must answer two questions.
Firstly, whether South Africa has met the basic test to show that its claim against Israel can be dealt with under the UN’s 1948 genocide convention.
Secondly, whether there is a plausible risk of irreparable harm to the Palestinian people in Gaza if Israel’s military action continues.
