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Forums - Politics Discussion - Israel-Hamas war, Gaza genocide

SvennoJ on 26 January 2024

Pro-Palestinian supporters join ‘Invasion Day’ rally in Australia

A protester holds a Palestinian flag during an ‘Invasion Day’ rally at Australia’s Parliament House in Canberra on January 26, 2024, which marks the British arrival in Australia and the usurping of the country’s Indigenous population. Protests are held each year to coincide with ‘Australia Day’, a national holiday celebrated on January 26 commemorating the 1788 landing of the British First Fleet in Australia. Protesters view it as a day of invasion and want to abolish the holiday [Mick Tsikas/EPA]

The Palestinian flag and the flag of Indigenous Australians are seen at the Invasion Day [Australia Day] rally in Melbourne, Australia [Diego Fedele/EPA]

Israel accused of trying to alter border with Gaza ‘buffer zone’

Satellite imagery shows that the Israeli military has demolished hundreds of buildings in Gaza that sit within 1km (0.6 miles) of the border since October 7, as Israel attempts to create “a buffer zone” between itself and the besieged enclave. The move is likely to cause friction with the US, which has opposed the creation of any buffer zone and insists there should be no permanent reductions made to Gaza’s territory.

Bernie Sanders: Netanyahu’s government is ‘starving the Palestinian people’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “right-wing government” is “starving the Palestinian people”, says US Senator Bernie Sanders. “On top of its indiscriminate bombardment, Israel is imposing onerous restrictions to block the delivery of essential humanitarian aid. The US must use all of its leverage to end this horrific war,” Sanders wrote on X.

Sanders has been a staunch critic of the US government’s continued supply of military aid to Israel, which has been accused by South Africa of committing genocidal acts in its execution of its war on Gaza.

Cleaning wounds without anesthesia is part of the "suffering beyond belief" in Gaza, doctor tells CNN

Surgeons from the humanitarian group MedGlobal who are in Gaza don't have the resources to sedate patients while cleaning their wounds, according to Dr. John Kahler, a cofounder of the group. He says they receive between 150 to 200 patients in an outpatient center for wound cleaning per day, which can include children with facial burns. "All of these cleanings are happening without anesthesia," Kahler told CNN's Eleni Giokos from Cairo. "This is suffering beyond belief."

Kahler, an American doctor who has provided humanitarian assistance around the world from Haiti to Yemen, said being in Gaza is a "soul-crushing event" and "by far the worst situation" he has ever seen. Kahler's teams at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis tell him there is constant shelling within four or five blocks. Mass casualties with rushes of 20, 30, or 40 people at a time can be brought into the emergency room, he said.

"There is absolutely no room in the hospital whatsoever. There's patients on the floor, on the stairs, everywhere. It's a catastrophe. It isn't collapsing, it is virtually collapsed," Kahler said. He also has team members in Rafah at a primary health center that sees 600 to 700 patients a day, including many children. He says there is major respiratory disease, and "every one of these children is hungry. All the children have diarrhea."

Negotiations could ‘lead someplace’ despite Netanyahu intransigence, says former US official

The upcoming trip of CIA director William Burns to meet with Israeli, Egyptian and Qatari officials suggests that negotiations between Hamas and Israel could be nearing something concrete, former US Assistant Secretary of Defense Lawrence Korb told Al Jazeera.

We are seeing some momentum with the news that you have the heads of all the intelligence services – of Israel, Egypt and the US – and also Qatar’s prime minister and foreign minister meeting now.

So far it still seems the same as was leaked before, 2 month pause, all hostages released for Palestinian prisoners.

The real sticking point, we understand, is the ceasefire. This is really about public positions. The Israeli Prime Minister has been very clear this is not going to be an end to the war. Hamas has made it very clear there needs to be a full end to the war before they will release any of the captives.

But, certainly, all the sources and leaks in the media saying that there does seem to be some momentum, that they are now starting to talk about the serious issues. This is the first time that there seems to be some hope that possibly both sides can come to some form of understanding since the ceasefire collapsed at the beginning of December.

CNN reports the same

Bill Burns, director of the CIA, is expected to meet with officials from Israel, Egypt and Qatar to discuss a deal to secure the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas, according to a US official familiar with the plans. The meetings come amid intensive discussions on the parameters of a new deal that would pair hostages’ release with a cessation in the fighting in Gaza. The meetings are expected to be held in Europe, the official said.



Perfect timing for the ICJ to give its ruling tomorrow (Friday at noon GMT). Negotiation seats are ready.



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Koragg on 26 January 2024

Just a thought, the US supports a two state solution, yet does not recognise Palestine as a state. How many countries support the two state solution also do not recognise Palestine? I'm guessing most of the West does not



LurkerJ on 26 January 2024
"The court could rule entirely in South Africa's favor and order all of the measures requested, including directing a halt to Israel's attacks and siege against Gaza. It could dismiss it entirely or it could rule in favor of only some requests or create its own tailored orders."
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"Donoghue says the court is "acutely aware" of the conditions in Gaza and the human suffering caused by the war."
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"Israel sought to argue that South Africa had not sufficiently notified Israel that there was a dispute prior to bringing the genocide case to the ICJ. Judge Donohue is now going through the history of South Africa making public its views and Israel's public rejection of those."
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"Judge Donoghue says the court finds there is sufficient basis for South Africa to have filed its complaint at the court."
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"Judge Donoghue: Some of the acts alleged by South Africa to have been "committed by Israel [in Gaza] appear to be capable of falling" within the provisions of the Genocide Convention."
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"ICJ finds that South Africa has standing to bring genocide case against Israel."
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"Note: people should be cautious to celebrate or denounce any aspects of these findings until the entire order is delivered."
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"Court finds the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip constitute a protected group under the Genocide Convention. Court finds Israel's war has caused large scale civilian deaths, massive displacement and extensive damage to civilian infrastructure in Gaza."
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"Judge Donoghue is now reviewing the findings of major international organizations on the extent of devastation, death and dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza caused by Israel's operations."
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"Judge Donoghue is now reviewing the statements of Israeli officials South Africa said constituted genocidal intent. She begins with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant statements about cutting off Gaza and using the term "human animals.""
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"Now she cites Israeli President Herzog's statement saying there are no innocents in Gaza."
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"Donoghue: The court finds some of the provisional measures requested by South Africa are legitimate."
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"Donoghue: The right of Palestinians in Gaza to be protected from acts of genocide are clear."
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"This is all leading up to the court announcing what specific provisional measures it will issue against Israel. South Africa asked for a full cessation of attacks and siege."
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"Donoghue notes that Netanyahu says Israel's war will continue for many months and that Palestinian civilians are in a dire crisis. Court finds serious risk to conditions further worsening before the court can issue a final ruling in this case."
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"Court finds "urgency... real imminent risk" that irreparable damage will be done to Palestinians before genocide case concludes. Court finds it is necessary for court to indicate measures to protect the population based on South Africa's pleadings."
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"What is clear at this point is that the ICJ has ruled the genocide case against Israel will proceed to a full trial, which will take years. Now the court is issuing its orders to Israel, which Netanyahu has already said he will not abide by."
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"Court calls for immediate unconditional release of all hostages held in Gaza."
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"By a vote of 15-2, the court orders Israel take all measures within its powers to prevent all acts violating the genocide convention in Gaza."
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"16-1 the court rules Israel must cease and punish statements of incitement."
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"This ruling from the ICJ is a massive legal defeat for Israel and its premiere defenders, the U.S. and Germany. The question now is enforceability and whether the U.S. will openly trample international law in an effort to continue aiding Israeli crimes against Palestinians."
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"Court has been adjourned."

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"It's symbolically significant that the ICJ chief judge, an American who worked for the State Dept., voted in favor of the provisional measures vs Israel. ICJ judges are independent & do not officially work under orders from their governments. Nonetheless, it is still striking."
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"While this is a significant legal defeat for Israel and means the case over genocide will proceed, the devil is in the details. The ICJ did not go as far as South Africa wanted and Israel/US will argue it has not been ordered to cease all military attacks and other operations."
Last edited by LurkerJ - on 26 January 2024

LurkerJ on 26 January 2024

Ryan Grim from The Intercept and Breaking Points commentary (not watched yet, but a huge fan of Ryan). 



SvennoJ on 26 January 2024

As I feared, the provisional ruling has been left up to interpretation...

The UN’s top court has ordered Israel to act immediately to prevent genocide in Gaza, but stopped short of calling for a ceasefire in the war-torn enclave.

  • Prevent commission of acts that kill or cause serious bodily or mental harm to Palestinians. The acts are specified within Article Two of the genocide convention.
  • Ensure that its military does not commit any of the aforementioned acts
  • Prevent and punish any direct and public incitement to commit genocide
  • Enable provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in Gaza
  • Prevent destruction of any evidence related to allegations of acts of genocide
  • Submit a report to the court on all measures taken to adhere to these orders

https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/192/192-20240126-pre-01-00-en.pdf

That's basically nothing, as weak as the UNSC resolution and what the US has been telling Israel to cover for them, adhere to international law, with the IDF claiming they do... (but stuff happens as they say, or deny it happened)

Netanyahu hails ICJ ruling as rejection of "discrimination" against Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday hailed the preliminary International Court of Justice ruling on South Africa's accusation of genocide as a rejection of discrimination against his country. “Like every country, Israel has an inherent right to defend itself,” he said in a short video message.

“The vile attempt to deny Israel this fundamental right is blatant discrimination against the Jewish state, and it was justly rejected.”


Double standards for sure, with far less evidence

Judges ordered the Russian Federation to immediately suspend the military operations, and ensure its military units and any other unit or individual it has control over take steps not to further the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed that decision as a victory.Sep 22, 2023

3 weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine
https://www.icj-cij.org/case/182
https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/182/182-20220316-SUM-01-00-EN.pdf


South Africa says a ceasefire in Gaza is necessary to comply with ICJ ruling

South Africa’s Foreign Minister believes that in order for Israel to comply with the International Criminal Court (ICJ) ruling, a ceasefire would be necessary, but insisted she was not “disappointed” the court didn’t include it in the order. “In exercising the [ICJ] order, there would have to be a ceasefire,” Naledi Pandor said after the hearing. “Without it the order doesn’t actually work.”

“No way I am going to say I am disappointed, I hope for it (a ceasefire) but the fact of delivering humanitarian aid, the fact of taking measures that reduce the levels of harm against persons who have no role in what Israel is combating to me requires a ceasefire. "I believe Israel would have to attend to how it conducts its search for the hostages and for those Hamas individuals, who carried out the October 7th attacks,” she added. “I am satisfied with the directions that have been given.”

The South African foreign minister thanked the ICJ judges for “for dealing with this matter expeditiously” and warned states who have been supporting Israel that they may find themselves involved in the case as the proceedings develop. “It's clear that the court does say, circumstances exist, where it is plausible, that genocidal acts have been committed,” Pandor explained. “This, of course, means once the merit case is addressed, and if the finding is that there has been genocide, those states that have aided and abetted become a party to commission.”

In a statement, the South African government called the ICJ ruling a “decisive victory for the international rule of law.”

What else can they say. The case will progress but any real consequences will take many years to materialize and plenty time for the case to get buried or sidelined like the running cases from the 2014 war crimes in Gaza.



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SvennoJ on 26 January 2024

The reasoning of the court not to halt military operations come from the intent side of the case, indicating that Israel is doing (enough) things to imo obfuscate. Israel's self-defense claim has worked and genocide accusations are just too much for the Jewish people.

https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/192/192-20240126-sum-01-00-en.pdf

Separate opinion of Judge ad hoc Barak

1. In his opinion Judge ad hoc Barak explains that the Court rejected South Africa’s main
contention, which concerns the suspension of the military operations in the Gaza Strip. Instead, the
Court adopted measures that recall Israel’s existing obligations under the Genocide Convention. In
his view, the Court has reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend its citizens and emphasized the importance
of providing humanitarian aid to the population of Gaza. Judge ad hoc Barak states that the
provisional measures indicated by the Court are of a significantly narrower scope than those
requested by South Africa.

2. In the present case, the Court has emphasized that “all parties to the conflict in the Gaza
Strip are bound by international humanitarian law”, which includes Hamas. The Court has also stated
that it “is gravely concerned about the fate of the hostages abducted during the attack on Israel on
7 October 2023 and held since then by Hamas and other armed groups, and calls for their immediate
and unconditional release”.

3. Judge ad hoc Barak recalls that the Genocide Convention holds a very special place in the
heart and history of the Jewish people, both within and beyond the State of Israel. Through an
autobiographical remark, he explains that genocide is more than just a word for him; it represents
calculated destruction and human behaviour at its very worst. It is the gravest possible accusation
and is deeply intertwined with his life experience.

4. According to Judge ad hoc Barak, Israel is a democracy with a strong legal system and an
independent judicial system. In his view, whenever there is tension between national security and
human rights, the former must be attained without compromising the protection of the latter. He
further explains that international law is an integral part of the conduct of the Israeli State and army,
and that the holdings of the Israeli Supreme Court demonstrate a commitment to the rule of law and
human life.

Completely ignoring the apartheid system? Military courts, 99% conviction rates, administrative detention, no access to legal representation. Justice really is blind.

5. With regard to the Court’s prima facie jurisdiction, Judge ad hoc Barak is doubtful whether
South Africa brought this dispute in good faith. After South Africa sent a Note Verbale to Israel on
21 December 2023, concerning the situation in Gaza, Israel replied with an offer to engage in
consultations at the earliest possible opportunity. South Africa, instead of accepting this offer, which
could have led to fruitful diplomatic talks, decided to institute proceedings against Israel before this
Court. He regrets that Israel’s attempt to open a dialogue was met with the filing of an application.

Another argument Israel brought, but only to delay the urgent matter. The court itself notes the urgency yet fails to act and now uses the urgency reason against South Africa.

6. In the view of Judge ad hoc Barak, the present case involves an additional difficulty because
the other belligerent in the armed conflict, Hamas, is not a party to the present proceedings. While
this does not prevent the Court from exercising its jurisdiction, it is an essential matter to be
considered when determining the appropriate measures or remedies in this case.

7. Judge ad hoc Barak considers that the Court failed to give a complete account of the
immediate context in which the present case came before it. He recalls that on 7 October 2023, over
3,000 Hamas terrorists invaded Israeli territory by land, air and sea. He further recalls that over
1,200 innocent civilians, including infants and the elderly, were murdered.

Is the court seriously using Oct 7 as the starting point. South Africa started by explaining the conflict has been going on much longer.

Judge ad hoc Barak also explains that Hamas places its military apparatus within and below
civilian infrastructure to immunize it, intentionally putting its own population at risk. Furthermore,
he refers to the fate of the hostages, an agony which has been ongoing for over 100 days, and the
deaths and destruction taking place in Gaza.

8. According to Judge ad hoc Barak, the appropriate legal framework for analysing the
situation in Gaza is international humanitarian law, and not the Genocide Convention.

Basically dismissing themselves, let someone else deal with it

9. Regarding the Genocide Convention, Judge ad hoc Barak explains that central to the crime
of genocide is the element of intent, namely the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national,
ethnic, racial, or religious group as such. In his view, this intent is not present. Not even under the
standard of plausibility required for the indication of provisional measures. For this reason,
Judge ad hoc Barak disagrees with the Court’s approach regarding the plausibility of rights,
comparing the present case with Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of
the Crime of Genocide (The Gambia v. Myanmar). In his view, the evidence presented by South
Africa is not comparable to that available to the Court in the Gambia case. He recalls that Israel
argued that it has adopted several measures to minimize the impact of hostilities on civilians. In his
view, it is surprising that the Court took note of Israel’s statements explaining the steps it has taken
to alleviate the conditions faced by the population in Gaza, but then completely failed to draw
conclusions from these statements when examining the existence of intent. It is even more surprising
that the Court did not view any of these measures and statements as sufficient to rule out the existence
of a plausible intent to commit genocide

All the public statements from officials are not enough to prove intent. The evidence on the ground is not enough to prove intent. The evidence of starving an entire population is not enough to prove intent. The inadequate measures to protect civilians and the trickle of aid is enough to disprove intent.

10. Judge ad hoc Barak also recalls that the Court has not made any findings with regard to
South Africa’s claims under the Genocide Convention. The conclusions reached by the Court in this
preliminary stage do not prejudge in any way the claims brought by South Africa, which in his view,
remain wholly unproven.



SvennoJ on 26 January 2024

Other declarations on the court order:

Declaration of Judge Xue

She recalls the relevant United Nations resolutions where it is stated that “the
United Nations has a permanent responsibility towards the question of Palestine until the question is
resolved in all its aspects in a satisfactory manner in accordance with international legitimacy”. In
Judge Xue’s view, this responsibility requires that the United Nations, including its principal judicial
organ, ensures that the Palestinian people are protected under international law, particularly protected
from the gravest crime  genocide.

Referring it back to the UN, but the case can proceed.


Dissenting opinion of Judge Sebutinde

Judge Sebutinde respectfully dissents from the majority in this Order, arguing that the dispute
between the State of Israel and the people of Palestine is essentially and historically a political one,
calling for a diplomatic or negotiated settlement, and for the implementation in good faith of all
relevant Security Council resolutions by all parties concerned, with a view to finding a permanent
solution whereby the Israeli and Palestinian peoples can peacefully coexist. In her opinion, this is not
a legal dispute susceptible of judicial settlement by the Court.

Also referring it back to the UN, UNSC, but saying the court should not investigate further at all.

Judge Sebutinde considers that the provisional measures indicated by the Court in the
Order are not warranted.


Declaration of Judge Bhandari

In his declaration, Judge Bhandari states that the attacks on civilians in Israel on 7 October
2023 must be condemned but notes that Israel’s military campaign in response to those attacks has
led to a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

Judge Bhandari states that the Court must take into account the widespread destruction in Gaza and
loss of life that the population of Gaza has thus far endured. In Judge Bhandari’s view, the widespread
nature of the military campaign in Gaza, as well as the loss of life, injury, destruction and
humanitarian needs following from it, are by themselves capable of supporting a plausibility finding
with respect to rights under Article II.

Finally, Judge Bhandari states that all participants in the conflict must ensure that all fighting
and hostilities come to an immediate halt and that remaining hostages captured on 7 October 2023
are unconditionally released.

But wasn't able to push through cessation of hostilities as a provisional measure


Declaration of Judge Nolte

Judge Nolte submits a declaration in which he sets out the reasons for his agreement with the
Court’s decision to indicate provisional measures in respect of the Convention on the Prevention and
Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. In his view, the measures indicated rest primarily on the
plausible claim by South Africa that certain statements by Israeli State officials, including members
of its military, give rise to a real and imminent risk of irreparable prejudice to the rights of
Palestinians under the Genocide Convention.

Basically believing Israel that all those statements are merely spur of the moment emotional exaggeration. Because it apparently wasn't enough to push for cessation of hostilities.


Israel's flimsy defense worked, we didn't really mean any of it, South Africa should have just talked with us, we're sending out warnings to civilians, designating 'safe' zones, letting aid in. Israel continues to get away with pooling the wool over everyone's eyes.

At least the case will proceed, but for now it won't change anything on the ground. Israel can just keep on blaming the UN for insufficient aid while repeating they do their best to adhere to international law. International law is a joke. The Genocide conventions useless to prevent genocidal actions.



SvennoJ on 26 January 2024
TheLegendaryBigBoss said:

Just a thought, the US supports a two state solution, yet does not recognise Palestine as a state. How many countries support the two state solution also do not recognise Palestine? I'm guessing most of the West does not

You're correct, only Sweden recognizes Palestine in Western Europe



SvennoJ on 26 January 2024

Wtf....

US State Department temporarily pauses additional funding to UN agency

The US State Department "has temporarily paused additional funding" to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East amid allegations that some of the UN agency’s employees were involved in the Hamas attack on Israel, spokesperson Matt Miller announced Friday.

“Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on January 25 to emphasize the necessity of a thorough and swift investigation of this matter,” Miller said in a statement. “We welcome the decision to conduct such an investigation and Secretary General Guterres’ pledge to take decisive action to respond, should the allegations prove accurate,” he continued.

Miller said the US has contacted the Israeli government for more information about the allegations and has briefed members of Congress. The department also welcomed “the UN’s announcement of a ‘comprehensive and independent’ review of UNRWA,” Miller said.

“UNRWA plays a critical role in providing lifesaving assistance to Palestinians, including essential food, medicine, shelter, and other vital humanitarian support,” he said. “Their work has saved lives, and it is important that UNRWA address these allegations and take any appropriate corrective measures, including reviewing its existing policies and procedures.”

Guilty until proven innocent, but understandable with the political pressure

UN agency head fires staff members allegedly involved in October 7 attacks

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East's commissioner general announced Friday that he was "immediately" terminating the contracts of staff members allegedly involved in the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel. “The Israeli Authorities have provided UNRWA with information about the alleged involvement of several UNRWA employees in the horrific attacks on Israel on 7 October," Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement Friday, adding that he has made the decision in order to protect the agency's ability to deliver humanitarian aid.

Lazzarini said an investigation is being launched into the alleged involvement of the employees and those involved will be held accountable "including through criminal prosecution." “These shocking allegations come as more than 2 million people in Gaza depend on lifesaving assistance that the Agency has been providing since the war began," he said, "Anyone who betrays the fundamental values of the United Nations also betrays those whom we serve in Gaza, across the region and elsewhere around the world."

CNN has reached out to UNRWA and the Israeli authorities about the information Israel provided UNRWA and the nature of the alleged involvement of the UNRWA employees.



The PA is more positive about the ruling, glad the court at least recognizes the situation

ICJ "ruled in favor of humanity and international law,” Palestinian Authority foreign minister says 

Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki expressed gratitude on Friday for the provisional measures imposed by the International Court of Justice on Israel over its military operation in Gaza. “The ICJ judges assessed the facts and the law. They ruled in favor of humanity and international law,” al-Maliki said in a video statement.

Al-Maliki stated: "The ICJ ruling breaks Israel's entrenched culture of criminality and impunity, which has characterized its decades-long occupation, dispossession, persecution, and apartheid in Palestine."

He called on all states to ensure the implementation of the provisional measures, emphasizing it as a binding legal obligation for Israel. Separately, the Palestinian Assistant Minister for Multilateral Affairs Ammar Hijazi said Friday is a “good day for humanity." “This ruling is in favor of (an) international system based on law, against exceptionalism and double standards,” Hijazi told reporters outside the ICJ in The Hague, Netherlands.

Hijazi said the decision by the court to enact emergency measures ordering Israel to prevent the death and destruction caused by its military campaign means “that the cries and suffering of our people in Gaza have been heard.”

ICJ ruling is a "step in the right direction," protest organizer says

Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the International Court of Justice in The Hague on Friday. One of the protest organizers, Nadia Slimi, told CNN she was “very happy” following the ICJ’s ruling imposing provisional measures on Israel over its military operation in Gaza, but was disappointed the court did not rule in favor of an immediate ceasefire.

“It feels like a victory and a significant milestone and a step in the right direction in the liberation of the Palestinian people in a way. It is also very disappointing that the court did not rule in favor for an immediate ceasefire at this time, because I personally believe that that is what the people need,” she said. 

“It's finally a moment (where) Israel is going to be held accountable, and I'm very happy that they're choosing to pursue this case in court,” she added. One of those protesting Friday is climate activist Greta Thunberg, who said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that "we cannot remain silent."


The provisional measures are no different from the watered down UNSC resolution on December 22nd
https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/12/1145022
Which didn't lead to much while the destruction of Gaza, killing of civilians, spreading of disease, worsening famine continued on.

But at least its back in the news and now 'backed' by the court further looking over the results of Israel actually adhering to the measures.


Netanyahu orders his government not to comment on ICJ ruling: Report

Netanyahu has asked his ministers not to comment on the ICJ’s decision, according to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority.

After the ruling, Netanyahu said the fact that the court was willing to discuss the genocide charges was a “mark of shame that will not be erased for generations”, and he pledged to press ahead with the war.

“We will continue to do what is necessary to defend our country and defend our people,” he said. “Like every country, Israel has the basic right to defend itself. The court in The Hague rightfully rejected the outrageous request to take that away from us.”


Make sure they don't say what they mean...

Last edited by SvennoJ - on 26 January 2024

SvennoJ on 26 January 2024

Meanwhile in Gaza


At least 26,083 Palestinians have been killed and 64,487 wounded by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip since the start of the war, according to the latest figures published by the enclave’s Ministry of Health.

It said at least 183 people have been killed and 377 injured in the latest 24-hour reporting period.

PRCS: Israel continues to target our headquarters in Khan Younis

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society says that for the fifth day in a row, Israeli forces are targeting the vicinity of its headquarters in al-Amal Hospital in Khan Younis with “intense shelling and gunfire”. The PRCS also said that for the past three days, Israeli forces have imposed a complete curfew in the hospital vicinity, preventing the movement of ambulance teams to and from the hospital.

“The Palestine Red Crescent expresses deep concern for the safety of its teams besieged in Al-Amal Hospital and calls on the international community to urgently act to protect its personnel working there,” the organisation said.

Israeli tanks fire at al-Amal Hospital gate: Red Crescent

The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) says Israeli army tanks are targeting the eastern gate of al-Amal Hospital, causing fragments to scatter inside the building. “The hospital is under siege with heavy gunfire, resulting in several injuries in the vicinity,” the PRCS said in a post on X.

Al-Amal and Nasser hospitals in Khan Younis have been under siege by Israeli forces for several days. Al-Amal is run by the PRCS.

Israeli snipers shoot two brothers leaving al-Amal Hospital

Among the casualties of Israeli sniper attacks, we’ve seen two brothers who were walking out of the facility of al-Amal Hospital. They were shot by the sniper despite the fact that one of them was carrying a white flag.

This is another reminder that Palestinian civilians are not protected. It has become very difficult for people to find their way out of the city of Khan Younis. The city is increasingly dangerous. The snipers are shooting at every moving object as people are trying to leave the facilities, seeking shelters elsewhere in the city or trying to find a way out of Khan Younis for a safer refuge.

Siege on Nasser Hospital continues for fifth day

Ashraf al-Qudra, the spokesman for the Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip, said that the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis has completely run out of food, anaesthetics and painkillers as a result of the occupation’s siege imposed on it for the fifth day.

“There are 150 health personnel, 350 patients, and hundreds of displaced families in the Nasser Medical Complex in catastrophic conditions of starvation, targeting, and lack of treatment,” al-Qudra said.

Health Ministry spokesman: Israeli forces targeting Nasser and al-Amal hospitals

Gaza’s Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra says Israeli forces are “deliberately paralysing” the capabilities of the Nasser Medical Complex and al-Amal Hospital in Khan Younis.

Al-Qudra said the two hospitals are being subjected to Israeli fire and besiegement in addition to Israeli forces preventing ambulance movement.

UNRWA warns of spread of hepatitis A in overcrowded IDP camps

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) says the spread of hepatitis A is increasing at a rapid pace in informal camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Gaza due to overcrowding and a lack of clean water and sanitation.

“Suspected cases [are] almost 16 times higher in January so far compared to the whole of November 2023,” UNRWA said in a post on X.

OCHA: Situation in Gaza Strip ‘brutal, unacceptable and catastrophic’

The representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OCHA) in the occupied Palestinian territories says that the situation in the Gaza Strip is “nothing less than catastrophic”.

“Displaced people in Rafah have no place to stay and are actually living on the streets,” said Ajith Songhai. “The people we interviewed fear that severe violence will spread to Rafah, which will have catastrophic effects on more than 1.3 million people there.” Songhai added that there is no access to northern Gaza, which remains under Israeli shelling and bombardment, even to provide basic humanitarian assistance.

“Failure to deliver aid violates Israel’s obligations under international law,” Songhai said, adding that continuous attacks continue on medical and UN facilities in Khan Younis, as well as on schools and residential areas.

Cold and rainy weather in Gaza making it ‘completely uninhabitable’: UN

The UN’s human rights office has warned that cold and rainy weather in Gaza risks turning the enclave into a “completely uninhabitable” place. “We’re also very worried about the impact of the rainy, cold weather in Gaza,” said Ajith Sunghay, head of the UN human rights office for the occupied Palestinian territory.

“It was entirely predictable at this time of the year, and risks making an already unsanitary situation completely uninhabitable for the people. Most have no more clothes or blankets.”

Most Palestinians have been internally displaced by Israeli attacks, and many are crammed into overcrowded shelters where they are threatened by the worsening weather, diseases and an acute shortage of food, water and medicine.

Last edited by SvennoJ - on 26 January 2024