The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has announced its first ruling on South Africa’s genocide case against Israel on Friday evening, calling on Israel to take urgent and effective measure to protect Palestinians, contain death toll and destruction, acknowledging that there is a risk of genocide in Gaza. However, it did not call for an immediate ceasefire.

The hearing took place on Friday with 16 judges out of the court’s 17-member panel, present. Presiding Judge Joan Donoghue asserted that the court has the authority to rule over emergency measures in the case.

The court noted that the charges against Israel fall under the provisions of the Genocide Convention, additionally acknowledging that Israeli military operations have killed as well as injured a large number Palestinians in Gaza, destroyed a number of homes and infrastructure, and resulted in the internal displacement of about 1.7 million people.

It was further acknowledged that the Palestinians’ have the right to be protected from acts of genocide.

The issue of “dehumanising language” used against Palestinians was also highlighted, particularly shedding light on statements by Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant ordering a “complete siege” of Gaza and apprising the soldiers that they are fighting against “human animals”.

The International Court of Justice finds that there is sufficient basis for South Africa’s case against Israel and will not dismiss the case as Israel requested.

This is a historic moment. The Court’s decision makes U.S. complicity more difficult for Biden officials to deny. pic.twitter.com/c5OE2ZQolP

— Assal Rad (@AssalRad) January 26, 2024

Social Media Reacts

#ICJ Hugely disappointing that the Court has not ordered an immediate cease-fire or an end to Israel's military campaign, despite acknowledging the ongoing indiscriminate bombardment and attacks against the people in Gaza and the West Bank

— Kaajal Ramjathan-Keogh (@kaajal1) January 26, 2024

#ICJ Hugely disappointing that the Court has not ordered an immediate cease-fire or an end to Israel's military campaign, despite acknowledging the ongoing indiscriminate bombardment and attacks against the people in Gaza and the West Bank

— Kaajal Ramjathan-Keogh (@kaajal1) January 26, 2024

I know ppl are disappointed the ICJ didn't order ceasefire. That's quite understandable. But we're in a situation where even talking abt the case was a radical act. The case is on record. Israel's been told to stop killing. It won't. It was never going to. But it's all on record.

— Zebunnisa Burki (@zburki) January 26, 2024

The ICJ has just ruled that the evidence is "sufficient to conclude that at least some" of South Africa's claims of genocide against Israel "are plausible".

They can't adjudicate at this stage on whether it is genocide.

They have concluded there's a plausible risk of genocide.

— Owen Jones (@OwenJones84) January 26, 2024