The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on Thursday that a humanitarian crisis is unfolding in the Palestinian territory and ordered Israel to take immediate action to address it. In a statement published on its website, the ICJ emphasized that Israel has a responsibility under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide to provide essential services and humanitarian assistance to Gaza without delay.

The ICJ called for an increase in land crossing points and their continued operation for as long as necessary to ensure that aid reaches those in need. South Africa, which had filed a request before the court expressing concern about the violence and destruction caused by Israel’s military operation in Rafah, welcomed the ruling.

While the ICJ’s orders are legally binding, enforcing them remains challenging due to political tensions between Israel and Palestine. Despite this, countries around the world continue to support Palestine through various means, including providing aid and advocating for peace negotiations.

The situation in Gaza has become increasingly dire, with many Palestinians facing severe food shortages due to strict control over humanitarian aid by land. While some countries have been parachuting supplies into Gaza from time to time, these efforts have not been enough to address the growing crisis. With no clear end in sight to the conflict triggered by Hamas, it remains uncertain how long this humanitarian catastrophe will continue.