UN experts say world court interim decision 'first concrete hope' for civilians in Gaza

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - UN experts on Wednesday praised the interim decision by International Court of Justice (ICJ) on provisional measures as "the first concrete hope" to protect civilians in Gaza.

Stressing that Gazans are "enduring apocalyptic humanitarian conditions, destruction, mass killing, wounding and irreparable trauma," the experts said in a statement. "The ruling is a significant milestone in the decades-long struggle for justice by the Palestinian people."

"The court order is urgently needed to protect the very existence of the Palestinian people from potentially genocidal actions the Court has ordered Israel to halt and prevent," they said. "Given the dire situation on the ground and the careful wording of the Court, we believe that the most effective way to implement the provisional measures is through an immediate ceasefire."

The UN-appointed experts underlined that they see the decision handed down last Friday as "dismissing Israel’s justification of its actions as self-defence in compliance with international humanitarian law."

They called on Israel to adhere to the order, saying by the time Israel reports to the ICJ in less than a month, Palestinians "must have access to food, water, healthcare, and safety, that have long been denied to them."

They also urged state parties to the Genocide Convention to abide by their obligations to prevent genocide, taking all measures in their power to ensure implementation of the ICJ’s provisional measures.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by Hamas last October.

The onslaught has killed more than 26,000 people, mostly women and children, displaced 85% of the blockaded enclave's population, and created conditions for famine. Israel says 1,200 people were killed in the initial Hamas attack.

The ICJ, in its interim ruling in the genocide case filed by South Africa, ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza and enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians.

Tel Aviv also has to submit a report to the ICJ on all measures taken to give effect to this order within one month.