Two weeks after hearing damning evidence from both sides, the International Court of Justice on Friday handed down a long-awaited preliminary ruling in a South African case alleging Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
The decision was important, but both sides found grounds for relief. For Israel, it was true that the ICJ did not reach a cease-fire order. For Palestine, it meant that the court found the allegations to be plausible and required further investigation.
In addition to these findings, the court ruled that aid to Gaza must be allowed. At the same time, however, another story emerged that officials from UNRWA, one of Gaza's largest aid agencies, were involved in the October 7 attack on Israel. Foreign Affairs Editor of the Guardian Patrick WinterHe explained the circumstances surrounding the suspicion.
In response he says Nosheen Iqbal, at least 11 countries, including the UK, have cut funding to UN agencies. The United Nations has warned that defunding the organization could have devastating consequences, as UNRWA is essential to the livelihoods of many people in Gaza, with food, clean water and medical supplies in critical short supply. ing. What impact will this have on the future shape of the conflict and the ongoing negotiations over hostage release and a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas?
Photo: Remco de Waal/EPA
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