Governments must 'use leverage' to ensure ICJ order is enforced, says Human Rights Watch

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) — Following the "landmark decision" by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering Israel to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza, countries must use their colout to ensure the ruling is enforced, the Human Rights Watch said.

"The World Court’s landmark decision puts Israel and its allies on notice that immediate action is needed to prevent genocide and further atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza," said Balkees Jarrah, associate international justice director at the international rights watchdog.

Underscoring the gravity of the situation and the imperative for immediate action as lives are in the balance, Jarrah urged governments to swiftly leverage their influence to ensure enforcement of the court's orders.

"Lives hang in the balance, and governments need to urgently use their leverage to ensure that the order is enforced. The scale and gravity of civilian suffering in Gaza driven by Israeli war crimes demands nothing less," said Jarrah.

"The scale and gravity of civilian suffering in Gaza driven by Israeli war crimes demands nothing less," she remarked, highlighting the severity of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.

The International Court of Justice on Friday ordered Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza, deciding that Israel must "take all measures within its power" to prevent all acts under the genocide convention.

Jarrah noted that the ICJ's "speedy ruling is recognition of the dire situation in Gaza, where civilians face starvation and are being killed daily at levels unprecedented in the recent history of Israel and Palestine."