Despite Germany’s limited arms exports to Israel and its adherence to major international arms control treaties, the ICJ finds that the existing situation did not call for the court’s action.
The “catastrophic living conditions in Gaza” have drawn the attention of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), but the court has not yet ordered Germany to halt its arms sales to Israel.
Germany has signed important international weapons control treaties, and German authorities have already said that they have reduced their arms supplies to Israel, according to ICJ President Nawaf Salam, who made this announcement during a hearing in The Hague on Tuesday.
“The court, by a vote of 15 to 1, determines that the current circumstances do not necessitate the court using its authority under Article 41 of the statute to suggest interim measures,” the judge stated.
However, Salam emphasized that the top court of the United Nations is still gravely worried about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, given the high death toll and injuries, the widespread devastation of homes, and the forced relocation of the vast majority of the people.
“The court remains deeply concerned about the catastrophic living conditions of the Palestinians in Gaza, in particular, in view of the prolonged and widespread deprivation of food and other basic necessities to which they have been subjected,” he stated.
Last month, Nicaragua initiated legal action against Germany, alleging that Berlin’s political and military backing of Israel was enabling the genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. Germany asked the court to impose urgent orders on Berlin, compelling Germany to halt arms sales to Israel and undo its earlier decision to halt UNRWA financing.
Germany supported its political and military support for Israel’s war while rejecting Nicaragua’s adjustments. Berlin’s armaments transfers to Israel, according to Germany’s legal team, were justified and provided following careful examination. Berlin, according to the German delegation, was carrying out its humanitarian duties.
A never-ending assault
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has launched a military assault on Gaza in response to a cross-border raid by Hamas that claimed 1,200 lives.
Since then, hundreds of Palestinians have been injured and over 34,500 Palestinians have died—mostly women and children—amidst widespread destruction and acute shortages of basic supplies.
Large areas of Gaza lay in ruins more than six months into the Israeli conflict, forcing 85% of the enclave’s inhabitants to flee internally due to a devastating blockade of food, clean water, and medical supplies, according to the UN.
The International Court of Justice has charged Israel of genocide. An interim verdict from January required Tel Aviv to make sure that Israeli soldiers do not commit acts of genocide and to take steps to ensure that residents in Gaza get humanitarian aid.
SOURCE: TRTWORLD
