(VitalNews.org) – There have been many negotiations around a possible cease-fire and the possibility of Israel toning down its violence in Gaza. The UN’s highest court recently ordered Israel to do everything it can to prevent genocide in Gaza, but many are saying this falls short of a cease-fire.
This order comes amidst Israel’s continuous bombardment of Gaza in a military campaign that has already killed over 20,000 people and counting. Negotiations have taken place in regards to another cease-fire in the hopes that it would allow the trade of hostages and prisoners, and put a stop to the murder.
The court also ordered that Israel must submit a report in one month describing the steps they are taking to prevent a genocide in Gaza. The statement read, “Israel must, in accordance with its obligations under the genocide convention, in relation to Palestinians in Gaza, take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of acts under article 2 of the convention.”
The statement then outlined what Israel must avoid, saying, “In particular, a) killing members of the group, b) causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group, c) inflicting upon the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole and in part, and d) imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group.”
Israel has tried to get the ruling dismissed, but the courts stand firm and say that they will not be dismissing this ruling at all. This world court judgment was issued in response to a case that was submitted by the South African government which accused Israel of genocide against the Palestinian people.
The court also explained that they were concerned about the Israeli hostages that were abducted during the October 7 attack; they ordered the release of these hostages immediately.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently responded to the court’s ruling, denying these accusations of genocide, stating, “The charge of genocide leveled against Israel is not only false, it’s outrageous, and decent people everywhere should reject it.”
Netanyahu then clarified what Israel’s duty and position is, saying, “Our war is with Hamas terrorists, not against Palestinians…We will continue to facilitate humanitarian assistance and to do our utmost to keep civilians out of harm’s way, even as Hamas uses civilians as human shields. We will continue to do what is necessary to defend our country and defend our people.”
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