Top UN court's Gaza ruling could allow pressure on Israel for lasting cease-fire: French NGO

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) — A France-based Palestinian rights group on Friday voiced hope that a provisional ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will pave the way to put pressure on Israel for a lasting cease-fire in Gaza.

"We ask the international community, France and the European Union in particular, to call on Israel for applying the provisional measures ordered on Jan. 26 by the International Court of Justice," Pierre Motin, advocacy manager of the Platform of French NGOs for Palestine, told Anadolu in a written statement.

He voiced hope that the order which "recognizes a risk of genocide," will pave the way to "put pressure on Israel so that a durable cease-fire could be instated."

South Africa brought a genocide case against Israel to the ICJ earlier this month and asked it to grant emergency measures to end the bloodshed in Gaza, where more than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed since Oct. 7.

The International Court of Justice ordered Israel to take "all measures within its power" to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza but fell short of ordering a cease-fire.

The court also ordered Israel to take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance in the Gaza Strip.