The International Court of Justice (ICJ) said Israel must stop genocidal acts in Gaza.
Paris:
Reactions to Friday’s ruling by the UN’s top court in the Israel-Gaza case were divided along the lines of the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) said Israel must stop acts of genocide in Gaza and allow humanitarian aid into the besieged strip of land.
The war in Gaza began with a Hamas offensive on October 7, resulting in the deaths of about 1,140 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures.
The militants also captured about 250 hostages and Israel says about 132 of them remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 28 dead detainees.
Israel has vowed to crush Hamas and launched a military offensive that Gaza’s health ministry says has killed at least 26,083 people, about 70 percent of them women and children.
– ‘False, insulting’ –
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “The accusation of genocide made against Israel is not only false but outrageous and must be rejected by civilized people everywhere.”
– ‘No state above the law’ –
“The ICJ order is an important reminder that no state is above the law,” Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said in a video statement. He said the verdict “should serve as a warning to Israel and the actors who enable it.” Impunity was established”.
– ‘Justice wins’ –
South Africa’s Foreign Ministry, which brought the case before the ICJ, said, “Today marks a decisive victory for the rule of international law and an important milestone in the pursuit of justice for the Palestinian people.”
– ‘Isolating Israel’ –
Palestinian militant group Hamas said, “The (International) Court’s decision is an important development that contributes to isolating Israel and exposing its crimes in Gaza.”
– ‘Advocates of peace’ –
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said, “We will continue to advocate for peace and an end to the war, the release of hostages, access to humanitarian aid and the establishment of a Palestinian state with Israel, so that both countries can co-exist in peace and security.” Be in existence.” ,
– ‘Hopefully the attacks will end’ –
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the decision as “valuable”, saying, “We hope that Israel’s attacks against women, children and the elderly will end.”
– ‘Orders must be followed’ –
The EU said, “The orders of the International Court of Justice are binding on the parties and they must comply with them. The EU expects their full, immediate and effective implementation.”
– ‘Stop the Genocide’ –
“The World Court’s historic ruling alerts Israel and its allies that urgent action is needed to stop the massacre and further atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza,” said Balkis Jarrah, associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch. “
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
