The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday issued an order directing Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza.

According to Judge Donoghue, the court has ruled that Israel must use all means at its disposal to stop acts falling under the genocide convention.

She emphasized the need for Israel to ensure, without delay, that its forces refrain from committing any acts outlined in the genocide convention.

Additionally, Israel is required to take prompt actions to enhance the humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

Judge Donoghue ordered Israel to take measures to prevent and punish direct incitement of genocide. The ruling has created international legal obligations for Israel. She said all parties in the Gaza Strip are bound to international law.

ICJ also ruled it has jurisdiction over the genocide case in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Judge Donoghue said the court concluded it had “prima facie” jurisdiction on this case, meaning it can continue.

“The court considers that it cannot accede to Israel’s request that the case be removed from the general list,” the judge said in the ruling.

The ICJ has acknowledged the right of Palestinians in Gaza to be shielded from acts of genocide, as stated by Judge Donoghue.

A senior Hamas official has told Reuters that the ICJ decision is an important development that contributes to isolating the occupation and exposing its crimes in Gaza.

The Hamas official called for a forcing of the occupation to implement the court’s decisions.

What is ICJ?

The ICJ, or the International Court of Justice, serves as the United Nations' highest court, distinct from the International Criminal Court (ICC), which deals with individual war crimes.

Established in 1945 and headquartered in The Hague, the ICJ plays a crucial role in resolving disputes between nations and offering advisory opinions.

Comprising 15 judges, the court's membership will temporarily expand for the Israel case, with an additional judge from each side, each elected for nine-year terms by the UN General Assembly and the Security Council.

South Africa's case

South Africa had filed a case against Israel, levelling the serious charge of genocide in its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza.

The accusation extended to Israel's alleged "specific intent" to destroy Palestinians in Gaza, considered part of the broader Palestinian national, racial, and ethnic group.

In an 84-page submission, South Africa contended that Israel not only failed to prevent genocide but also neglected to prosecute officials who publicly incited such actions.

What's Genocide?

Genocide is when someone intentionally tries to wipe out a whole group of people based on their nationality, ethnicity, race, or religion. Countries worldwide follow a set of rules called the "genocide convention" to define and prevent such actions.

Genocide Convention explained

153 countries, including Israel, have agreed to these rules. According to them, genocide involves acts like killing, causing serious harm, destroying living conditions, preventing childbirth, and taking away kids from a specific group.

Tricky part - proving intent

The hardest part is proving that someone really wants to carry out genocide. This "intent" to harm a group is tough to determine, according to the United Nations.

Until today, Gaza officials said the death toll from the campaign, now in its fourth month, has risen to 26,083, with 183 killed in the past 24 hours and many more feared trapped under flattened buildings.