Palestinians ride a truck with some of their belongings as they flee Khan Yunis toward Rafah further south in the Gaza Strip, on January 25, 2024. (Photo by AFP)
Doha, Qatar: Israel continues to target refugee camps and public amenities across Khan Younis as snipers shoot at Palestinians leaving al-Amal Hospital.
Meanwhile the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus renewed calls for a ceasefire in Gaza Strip in a plea to the global health body's governing body where he described conditions in Gaza as "hellish".
Watch this page for more live updates:
[11:12 pm Doha Time] QU Dean of College of Law offers insight into ICJ South Africa v. Israel ruling
Doha, Qatar: The Dean of College of Law at Qatar University (QU) Dr. Talal Abdulla Al-Emadi, shed light on the International Court of Justice order for Israel to take measures preventing genocide in Gaza. Read more.
[10 pm Doha Time] The death toll in the Gaza Strip surpassed 26,000 today, January 26, as the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza but stopped short of demanding a ceasefire in the Palestinian territory.
[9 pm Doha Time] The State of Qatar welcomed the interim ruling issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to prevent genocide in Gaza. Qatar reiterated its firm position on the justice of the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people. Read more.
[6:50pm Doha Time] The World Court ordered Israel to take measures to prevent acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip.
Pro-Palestinian supporters react as they watch the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivering its decision following a hearing of the case against Israel brought by South Africa in The Hague at the Embassy of Palestine in Pretoria on January 26, 2024. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP)
[4:20pm Doha Time] Top UN court stops short of ordering cease-fire in Gaza and demands Israel contain deaths
The United Nations’ top court stopped short Friday of ordering a cease-fire in Gaza in a genocide case but demanded that Israel try to contain death and damage in its military offensive in the tiny coastal enclave.
South Africa brought the case, which goes to the core of one of the world’s most intractable conflicts, and had asked the court to order Israel to halt its operation.
In the highly anticipated decision made by a panel of 17 judges, the International Court of Justice decided not to throw out the case - and ordered six so-called provisional measures to protect Palestinians in Gaza. Read more
[4:05pm Doha Time] Here’s a quick recap of the ICJ ruling
The reading of the ruling has now ended.
The ICJ demanded Israel, among others, to try to contain death and damage in the Gaza Strip but stopped short of ordering a ceasefire.
ICJ President Joan Donoghue (C) speaks at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague on January 26, 2024. (Photo by Remko de Waal / ANP / AFP)
- The court says it has jurisdiction to rule in the case.
- The court orders Israel to take measures to prevent acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip, must report back in one month.
- The court says Israel must prevent and punish incitement to genocide in the Strip.
- The court says Israel must allow humanitarian aid into the Strip.
- The court obliges Israel to take more measures to protect Palestinians but does not order it to end military operations in the Strip.
[3:42pm Doha Time] ICJ orders Israel to report to it within one month
Judge Donoghue says the ruling creates international legal obligations for Israel.
[3:41pm Doha Time] Court orders Israel take all measures to prevent genocide
The ICJ orders Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent genocide.
It says Israel must ensure its forces do not commit genocide and also ensure preservation of evidence of alleged genocide.
[3:33pm Doha Time] Palestinians protected group under Genocide Convention: ICJ
As the reading continues, the ICJ president says the court recognises the Palestinians’ right to be protected from acts of genocide.
[3:25pm Doha Time] South Africa has standing to submit case: ICJ
Judge Donoghue says some allegations against Israel fall within the provisions of the Genocide Convention.
[3:18pm Doha Time] ICJ president: Sufficient evidence of dispute exists for genocide case
The presiding judge says the court will not throw away the case accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.
Judge Donoghue says some allegations against Israel fall within the provisions of the Genocide Convention.
ICJ says it has jurisdiction to rule
Judge Donoghue says the court has jurisdiction to rule over emergency measures in the case.
[3:15pm Doha Time] International Court of Justice ‘acutely aware’ of extent of human tragedy
International Court of Justice Presiding Judge Joan Donoghue begins her speech by referencing the Hamas attack inside Israel on October 7.
A demonstrator waves the Palestinian flag in front of the Peace Palace ahead of ICJ verdict on January 26, 2024. (Photo by Remko de Waal / ANP / AFP)
She continues by saying that Israel launched a large-scale military operation in Gaza by land, air and sea which has caused massive civilian casualties, extensive destruction of civilian infrastructure and the displacement of the overwhelming majority of Gaza’s population.
She says the court is acutely aware of the extent of the human tragedy unfolding in the region and is deeply concerned about the continuing loss of life and human suffering.
[1:20pm Doha Time] Cold and rainy weather in Gaza making it ‘completely uninhabitable’: UN
The UN’s human rights office has warned that cold and rainy weather in Gaza risks turning the enclave into a “completely uninhabitable” place.
Image shared by UN Human Rights Office for the Occupied Palestinian Territory in its report
“We’re also very worried about the impact of the rainy, cold weather in Gaza,” said Ajith Sunghay, head of the UN Human Rights Office for the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
“It was entirely predictable at this time of the year, and risks making an already unsanitary situation completely uninhabitable for the people. Most have no more clothes or blankets.”
Most Palestinians have been internally displaced by Israeli attacks, and many are crammed into overcrowded shelters where they are threatened by the worsening weather, diseases and an accute shortage of food, water and medicine.
[11:20am Doha Time] Over 26,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza
At least 26,083 Palestinians have been killed and 64,487 wounded by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip since the start of the war, according to the latest figures published by the enclave’s health ministry.
It added that at least 183 people have been killed and 377 injured in the past 24 hours.
[11am Doha Time] ICJ to deliver ruling on South Africa genocide case against Israel
The International Court of Justice will deliver its ruling at 12:00 GMT (3pm local time) on the emergency measures requested by South Africa in its genocide case against Israel.
The ICJ is not expected to deal with the main question of whether Israel is committing genocide, but will look at provisional measures requested by South Africa, including a request for Israel to suspend its military operations in the Gaza Strip.
[10am Doha Time] WHO Director-General describes conditions in Gaza as 'hellish'
Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus renews calls for a ceasefire in Gaza Strip in a plea to the global health body's governing body where he described conditions in Gaza as "hellish".
Tedros warned that more people in Gaza would die of starvation and disease. Read more
[9am Doha Time] Video: Palestinians head south to escape Israeli bombs in Khan Younis
The Israeli military is ramping up its attacks on Khan Younis in southern Gaza, with hundreds of Palestinians killed in recent days.
Many who had already been displaced from the north of the besieged enclave are now being forced to flee further south to Rafah carrying all of their possessions.
"A sea of people forced to flee Khan Younis, ending up at the border with Egypt. A never ending search for safety that Gaza is no longer able to give," wrote Commissioner-General of the UNRWA H E Philippe Lazzarini as he shared a video of the mass displacement.
A sea of people forced to flee Khan Younis, ending up at the border with Egypt.
— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) January 25, 2024
A never ending search for safety that #Gaza is no longer able to give. pic.twitter.com/RuQImTjX10
