The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague had begun public hearings in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel.
South Africa filed its case on December 29, accusing Israel of genocide and violation of the United Nations Genocide Convention with its actions in the Gaza Strip since October 7.
Joan Donoghue, the President of the International Court of Justice on Friday ordered the immediate release of all those held hostage by the Hamas militants during the invasion of Israeli territory on October 7, 2023.
The United Nations top court, while giving its ruling in the genocide case, said the continual abduction of people captured by Hamas militants during the October attack was no longer justifiable and ordered that all of them should be released immediately and without any conditions.
“The order then states that the court deems it necessary to emphasise that all parties to the conflict in the Gaza Strip are bound by international humanitarian law. It is gravely concerned about the fate of the hostages abducted during the attack in Israel on 7 October 2023 and held since then by Hamas and other armed groups and calls for their immediate and unconditional release,” the ICJ ruled.
Ruling, the President of the International Court of Justice said that South Africa had standing to submit a genocide case against Israel, regarding its war in Gaza.
The court also mandated the Israeli authorities to allow the people of Gaza uninterrupted access to medical needs and humanitarian assistance.
The court continued: “The court is also of the view that Israel must take measures in its power to prevent and punish a direct and public incitement to commit genocide in relation to the members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip. The court further considers that Israel must take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
“Israel must also take effective measures to prevent the destruction and ensure the preservation of evidence related to allegations of acts within the scope of Article 2 and Article Three of the Genocide Convention against members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip,” it added.