On Saturday, UN Chief Antonio Guterres expressed his hope that Israel would faithfully adhere to the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) recent ruling. The ICJ had ordered Israel to intervene and prevent acts of genocide in the strife-torn Gaza region. Stephane Dujarric, the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, conveyed the information to New York reporters, highlighting Guterres' acknowledgment of the court's directives, as part of a genocide case initiated by South Africa, according to CNN.
Guterres, in an official statement, emphasized the legally binding nature of ICJ decisions. He conveyed his trust that all involved parties would duly comply with the court's order. The UN Chief has consistently advocated for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, expressing profound concerns about the unparalleled civilian casualties and the dire humanitarian conditions in the enclave, as reported by CNN.
In a pointed message to Israel, the ICJ, on Friday, asserted that Israel must "take all measures" to mitigate the death and destruction resulting from its campaign in Gaza. However, the court fell short of explicitly calling for a ceasefire. CNN reported that while ICJ decisions are binding and cannot be appealed, the court lacks mechanisms for enforcement.
Notably, Israel had previously indicated its unwillingness to adhere to the ICJ's ruling, setting the stage for potential tensions over the matter.
(With Agency Inputs)
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