The International Court of Justice (ICJ), also known as the World Court, is set to announce on Friday whether it will order emergency measures against Israel following a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide in its assault on Gaza. The ICJ’s decision will not address the main question of whether Israel is committing genocide, but rather focus on the potential emergency measures requested by South Africa to restrain Israel’s actions.
South Africa’s Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor will be present at the court in The Hague as it delivers its announcement. The court is expected to consider the nine injunctions filed by South Africa, including the demand for a suspension of Israel’s military operations in Gaza and the facilitation of humanitarian aid into the region.
Experts anticipate that the ICJ may not go as far as South Africa has requested, such as ordering a halt to the Israeli assault. Instead, it is likely that the court will reiterate the United Nations’ position expressed in its December resolution, emphasizing the need for Israel to conduct military operations in accordance with international law and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid is not hindered.
The ICJ’s deliberations are a lengthy process, involving detailed written submissions, oral arguments, and counter-arguments by legal counsels representing each state. A ruling in the case could take three to four years, but provisional measures could be granted if South Africa demonstrates that claims under the genocide convention are plausible and the Palestinian population in Gaza faces a real and imminent risk of irreparable harm.
It is important to note that rulings by the ICJ are legally binding but lack enforcement mechanisms. If the court grants some or all of South Africa’s requests, it remains uncertain whether Israel will comply. Israel has dismissed the genocide allegations as “grossly distorted” and asserts its right to defend itself from Hamas, the Palestinian group responsible for the surprise attack on Israel in October.
Israel’s international standing could be significantly impacted if the court orders a halt to its operations. While the European Union has remained silent on the matter, Israel has received support from its primary backer and weapons supplier, the United States.
The decision by the ICJ will have significant implications for the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the international perception of Israel’s actions. The court’s announcement on Friday will shed light on the provisional measures it deems appropriate, while the full case will continue to be examined over the coming years.
