UN court rules on military operation in Gaza – the nightly update without photos Swedish NATO application – Kristersson is open to meeting with Orban

Amid the heavy fighting in the Gaza Strip, the first preliminary decision in the explosive genocide case against Israel will be taken this Friday before the International Court of Justice in The Hague. This is not yet the main accusation of genocide, but an urgent request for protective measures for the Palestinians. This calls on the UN judges to order Israel to immediately halt military actions in the Gaza Strip.

Decisions of the Court are binding. Even if he doesn’t have the power to enforce this, a rebuke from the UN’s highest court would still be a defeat for Israel. International pressure would likely continue to increase. The judges can also order that Israel report on measures taken to protect Palestinians. That would also have a significant external impact

Israel sees that the right to self-defense is being taken away

South Africa filed a lawsuit against Israel in late December, accusing the country of violating the Genocide Convention. It is the first time that Israel has been accused of genocide before a UN court. During the hearing at the Peace Palace in The Hague about two weeks ago, the Israeli representative firmly rejected the accusations. “Israel is at war with (the Islamist organization) Hamas, but not with the Palestinian people,” Israeli Foreign Ministry legal adviser Tal Becker said. Israel also rejected calls for a halt to the military operation. The reason given was that this would deprive the country of its right to self-defense.

The reason for the Gaza war was a devastating massacre by Hamas and other extremists on October 7, 2023. About 1,200 people were killed and about 250 were kidnapped from Israel. Israel blames Hamas for the casualties and suffering of civilians in the Gaza Strip.

Heavy fighting in the southern Gaza Strip – again many deaths

Meanwhile, 200 people were killed and 370 others injured in the last 24 hours alone in the coastal area, the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry said on Thursday evening. This means that the number of deaths since the start of the war on October 7 has risen to 25,900 and the number of injured to more than 64,000. The figures can hardly be independently verified.

The Israeli army and Palestinian health services reported further heavy fighting west of the town of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. Early this week, the Israeli army launched an offensive in the western part of Khan Yunis, where it had not yet penetrated. The largest city in the southern Gaza Strip is considered a Hamas stronghold.

Israeli units bombed and shelled the area around the Amal hospital, the aid group Palestinian Red Crescent said on Thursday. The clinic is completely surrounded. Rescuers and help seekers could no longer reach them. According to eyewitnesses, the Israeli army has also made intensive progress in the area around Nasser Hospital. Thousands of people are fleeing.

Baerbock appeals to Israel – talks in Jordan

In view of the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock urged Israel to comply with international humanitarian law, for example when taking actions in Khan Yunis. On the sidelines of her trip to East Africa, the Green politician said on Thursday evening in Nairobi, in view of the heavy fighting in the city in the southern Gaza Strip, that she was “extremely concerned” about the desperate situation of the Gaza Strip. people. “There are also rules when it comes to the right to self-defense, and international humanitarian law also applies to the fight against terrorists,” Baerbock said. “Israel must comply with this, like all other states in the world – even in a difficult environment where Hamas breaks all the rules and abuses people as protective shields.”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs wants to make a short trip to Jordan in connection with the mediation efforts in the Gaza war. Baerbock will “continue to travel to Jordan after her trip to East Africa and hold political discussions on the crisis in the Middle East there on Saturday,” the Foreign Minister’s delegation said on Friday.

CIA chief intervenes in hostage release negotiations

CIA chief Bill Burns reportedly plans to travel to Europe in the coming days to negotiate the release of hostages held by Hamas. As CNN reported on Thursday (local time), citing US officials familiar with the plans, Burns wants to talk to the intelligence chiefs of Israel and Egypt and Qatar’s prime minister about an agreement to release the remaining hostages.

The meetings with Mossad director David Barnea, Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani are expected to take place in Europe. The Washington Post first reported such plans.

According to Israeli information, of the more than 130 hostages, probably only a little more than 100 are still alive. Discussions about a release have recently gained momentum again.

What will be important on Friday?

While the International Court of Justice will announce its decision on the urgent request to halt military action, fighting in the Gaza Strip is likely to continue. There are also tensions at the border between Lebanon and Israel and in the Red Sea. Since the start of the Gaza war, the Houthi militia has repeatedly attacked cargo ships believed to be linked to Israel. (sda/dpa)