The World Court has ordered Israel to "take all necessary and effective" action to ensure access to food and medical supplies for Gaza's Palestinian population in an effort to improve the humanitarian situation.
Thursday's unanimous order from the International Court of Justice's panel of judges came after South Africa sought more provisional measures, including a ceasefire, as part of its case accusing Israel of state-led genocide in Gaza.
Israel has rejected the accusations, saying it respected international law and would "expand" the current flow of humanitarian aid in Gaza.
In the legally binding order, the judges said Palestinians in the war-ravaged enclave faced worsening conditions.
"The court observes that Palestinians in Gaza are no longer facing only a risk of famine […] but that famine is setting in," the judges said in their order.
The measures are to be taken "without delay", the judges said, and should include "increasing the capacity and number of land crossing points and maintaining them open for as long as necessary".
They told Israel to report back in a month on its implementation of the orders.
ABC LINKso now the global concern for Israeli breaches of humanitarian laws are "legally binding" and so must perforce be acted on by Netanhyahu.
how will he respond? Wille he comply with the international law or will he stick to his genocidal plan?
