What we know
- The International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, a ruling that could have far-reaching consequences though the court has no power to enforce it. The United Nations' top court stopped short of ordering the cease-fire requested by South Africa while it hears a full case accusing Israel of genocide, which the U.S. and Israel have dismissed.
- The State Department said today that the U.S. was "extremely troubled" by allegations that 12 employees from the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees may have been involved in Hamas' Oct. 7 attacks on Israel and had "temporarily paused additional funding" for the agency "while we review these allegations and the steps the United Nations is taking to address them."
- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said that he was "horrified" by the allegations and that those found to have been involved would be terminated immediately and referred for potential criminal prosecution.
- CIA Director William Burns is set to meet with Qatar's prime minister and the director of Mossad this weekend in an effort to break a deadlock in talks for a new hostage deal with Hamas. The U.S. has reiterated its support for Qatar's role as a mediator after the Gulf state was angered by leaked criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- More than 26,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. More than 64,400 have been injured, and thousands more are missing and presumed dead.
- Israeli military officials said at least 220 soldiers have been killed during the ground invasion of Gaza. About 1,200 people were killed and about 240 hostages were taken after Hamas launched multipronged attacks on Israel on Oct. 7.
- NBC News’ Richard Engel, Raf Sanchez, Matt Bradley, Chantal Da Silva, Anna Schecter and Ali Arouzi are reporting from the region.
U.S. strikes Houthi missile in Yemen; oil tanker hit earlier
The U.S. military struck what it said was a missile in Houthi-controlled Yemen in the latest attack against the Iran-backed militants which have been firing at commercial ships in the red Sea.
The strike was carried out around 3:45 a.m. Saturday local time and targeted an anti-ship missile aimed at the Red Sea, U.S. Central Command said in a statement.
“It presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the U.S. Navy ships in the region. U.S. Forces subsequently struck and destroyed the missile in self-defense,” Central Command, known as CENTCOM, said.
The U.S. military action follows reports of a commercial vessel that was struck by a missile, but the military did not link that attack to the strike in Yemen in its statement.
The Marlin Luanda was struck by a Houthi missile while in the Gulf of Aden earlier today, sparking a fire in the ship’s cargo tank, two U.S. defense officials said.
Commodity trading company Trafigura said the Marlin Luanda, a petroleum products tanker, was hit by a missile as in the Gulf as it was transiting the Red Sea.
"We remain in contact with the vessel and are monitoring the situation carefully. Military ships in the region are underway to provide assistance," the company said in a statement on its website. The fire was in one cargo tank on the starboard side, and firefighting efforts were taken in response, it said.
IDF calls for residents of Khan Younis refugee camp, other neighborhoods to evacuate
The Israel Defense Forces urged residents of some neighborhoods in western Khan Younis in southern Gaza to leave the areas immediately.
Avichay Adraee, the IDF spokesperson for the Arab media, posted a map of southern Gaza on X today to show the areas that need to be evacuated as soon as possible, including al-Nasr, al-Amal, the city center and Khan Younis refugee camp.
He added that all the residents in these areas need to move via designated al-Bahr Street to al-Mawasi, a humanitarian area near the coast.
Over the past week, heavy fighting has been conducted in Khan Younis, where many Gazans live after fleeing the north.
Biden condemns denialism ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day
President Joe Biden condemned efforts to deny and revise history ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which he said includes efforts to minimize the horrors of the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas.
In a statement released by the White House, Biden called the Holocaust "one of the darkest chapters in human history" and said the charge to remember the evil of the Nazis and the scourge of antisemitism was more pressing than ever.
"On Oct. 7, Hamas terrorists unleashed pure, unadulterated evil on the people of Israel," Biden said. "It was the worst atrocity committed against the Jewish people in a single day since the Holocaust."
He said the Oct. 7 attacks had led to "an alarming rise of despicable antisemitism at home and abroad," which he called unacceptable.
"We cannot remember all that Jewish survivors of the Holocaust experienced and then stand silently by when Jews are attacked and targeted again today," he said.
Injuries, distressed crowds overwhelm Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza
Dozens of wounded Palestinian patients from a strike last night flooded the trauma and resuscitation units of the last major semifunctioning hospital in southern Gaza.
Bloodied patients lined the floor of Nasser Hospital as they awaited medical assistance, according to a video shot by an NBC News team on the ground. The hospital is in Khan Younis, an area that has seen intense fighting this week.
Shouts reverberated in the jam-packed medical facility, with injured Gazans and members of the community appearing to occupy every available space.
In one frame, a woman can be heard sobbing as an injured man lies helplessly on the floor and crowds gesture and ask for help. In another, a young boy waits to have his chest dressed with cotton bands by a doctor.
The scenes come as the Gaza Health Ministry again warns that food, anesthetics and painkillers have "completely run out" in its facility for the fifth day.
"There are 150 health personnel, 350 patients and hundreds of displaced families in the Nasser Medical Complex in catastrophic conditions of starvation, targeting, and lack of treatment," the statement by the Palestinian enclave's health ministry spokesman Dr. Ashraf Al-Qudra added.
In response to claims that the Israeli forces have been attacking the hospital, the Israel Defense Forces said it's "carrying out precise operations against the Hamas terrorist organization in Khan Yunis."
The statement added that "IDF intelligence indicates that Hamas terrorists are operating from inside and around the Nasser hospital and Al-Amal hospital in Khan Yunis."
NBC News is unable to verify these claims.
The IDF also said it has been in touch with hospital directors and medical staff by phone and on the ground, "to ensure that the hospitals can remain operational and accessible."
‘We want a cease-fire,’ Gazans say after ICJ ruling
TEL AVIV — The International Court of Justice’s ruling today was met with disappointment from Gazans after the U.N. court stopped short of ordering an immediate cease-fire, but ordered Israel to do everything it can to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza.
“We were expecting the international court to commit Israel to complete a cease-fire,” one civilian, Nidal Kamal, told NBC News’ crew on the ground. “We want a cease-fire so that we can return to our homes and see our families. We are demanding that the world enforce a complete cease-fire.” Kamal said he believed the ICJ’s ruling would “result in nothing.”
Aziz Al-Kahlot, a human rights lawyer in Gaza, said today’s news in some ways represented a “historical achievement for Palestinians” — but he noted that the ICJ has no “power” to enforce its rulings. He said he did not believe Israel would heed the court’s warning.
Palestinians are still waiting for “a real cease-fire in Gaza,” said Sanaa Saidam, a journalist. Until then, she said: “Unfortunately, we will have more innocents ... subjected to the Israeli airstrikes,” Saidam said.
Former Israeli diplomat on ICJ ruling against Israel: 'It was a stern warning'
Ambassador Alon Pinkas, former Israel consul general in New York, reacts to the interim ruling by the International Court of Justice in the genocide case against Israel. “The decision was less than what Israel feared, but it’s a major, major slap on the wrist.”
Biden spoke with leaders of Egypt and Qatar about Gaza cease-fire, release of hostages
President Joe Biden spoke with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani today about the latest developments in Gaza, including efforts to release the hostages, the White House said.
Both al-Sisi and Al Thani stressed the importance of a cease-fire in Gaza and implementing human aid, according to statements from the offices of both leaders.
Biden and Al-Sisi discussed the importance of the exchange of detainees, hostages and prisoners, and "reiterated the firm position of Egypt and the United States to reject any attempts to evacuate Palestinians from their territories," according to a readout of the call from the Egyptian government.
'A sea of people forced to flee Khan Younis,' UNRWA commissioner-general says
"A sea of people" have been forced to flee Khan Younis, according to a tweet from Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner-general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
"A sea of people forced to flee Khan Younis, ending up at the border with Egypt. A never ending search for safety that #Gaza is no longer able to give," Lazzarini wrote on his X account.
IDF: Dozens of Hamas soldiers killed as heavy fighting continues in Khan Younis
The Israel Defense Forces said "intensive battles" continued in the heart of the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza this morning, as it said dozens of Hamas targets were destroyed.
Among the targets hit by the Israeli fighter jets were "terror targets," including operational centers, weapons storage facilities, observation posts and operational meeting points used by Hamas militants, the IDF said.
It also said several groups of Hamas fighters were killed by airstrikes and ground troops in the area.
What the U.N. court ordered Israel to do, what it didn’t — and what it means for the war in Gaza
The International Court of Justice has no power to enforce its rulings, but there was consequence in what it ordered Friday — and what it didn’t.
For some, the demand from the United Nations’ top court that Israel do everything it can to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza was a striking symbolic blow against the war. The court stopped short of ordering the immediate cease-fire that Palestinian supporters desired, however — setting up a complicated, yearslong legal battle that will play out while the fighting continues.
It was not the full denunciation desired by the Palestinians, or the flat rejection called for by Israel. But the judges effectively ruled that when it comes to accusations of genocide there is a case to be heard, and immediate action that Israel must take.
William Schabas, a professor of international law at England’s Middlesex University who specializes in war crimes studies, called the decision “a remarkable achievement for South Africa,” which brought the case.
Hamas welcomes ICJ's ruling against Israel
Hamas welcomed the ruling from the International Court of Justice calling on Israel to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, as Israel wages war on the militant group for launching terror attacks in the nation on Oct. 7.
"Hamas welcomes the decision of the International Court of Justice in The Hague, which indicted the occupying state on charges of genocide, and demands that the occupying army protect civilians, lift the siege imposed on our people in the Gaza Strip, and respect its duties as an occupying force within the framework of international law and international humanitarian law," Hamas said in a statement today.
"This decision means stop all forms of aggression against our Palestinian people in Gaza," the statement said. Hamas also called on the international community to "oblige" Israel to "implement the court’s decisions and stop the ongoing crime of genocide" against the Palestinians.
Israel has repeatedly rejected the allegations of genocide, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today calling them "false" and "outrageous." While the ICJ demanded Israel do more to prevent genocidal acts, it did not call for Israel implement a cease-fire.
‘Not only false, it’s outrageous’: Netanyahu rejects Gaza genocide charges
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was defiant in his reaction to the International Court of Justice decision to proceed with the genocide case against Israel. “We will continue to do what is necessary to defend our country,” he said.
Palestinian Ministry of Information: 'The State of Israel now stands accused of destroying an entire population'
The Palestinian Ministry of Information welcomed what it called a "historic decision" from the International Court of Justice today that called for Israel to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians during its war with Hamas in Gaza.
"The State of Israel now stands accused of destroying an entire population, facing charges of genocide," the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry also urged the international community "to pressure Israel to cease its ongoing aggression against the Gaza Strip, halt the genocide, end all destructive operations, and cease forced displacement."
"The State of Palestine further called on all countries, including Israel, the occupying power, to ensure compliance with the ICJ decision," the ministry said. "It also urged governments worldwide not to be complicit in genocide and to work towards stopping the supply of arms to the occupying Israeli regime."
Blinken told Wednesday of allegations UNRWA workers were involved with Oct. 7 attacks, official says
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was informed late Wednesday of Israel’s accusations that 12 employees of the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA, had participated in the Oct. 7 attacks, a senior Biden administration official said.
Blinken was informed directly by UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, the official said.
Blinken was traveling in Africa when he received the news and called U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday to emphasize the need for an investigation.
The U.S. has paused new funding for UNRWA while it reviews the allegations and the United Nations undertakes its own private investigation.
ICJ ruling against Israel consistent with U.S. calls for protecting civilians, State Department says
The U.S. said today's International Court of Justice ruling is consistent with the Biden administration's own calls for Israel to minimize civilian harm, increase humanitarian assistance and address dehumanizing rhetoric, a State Department spokesperson said.
The spokesperson reiterated that the U.S. believes accusations of genocide are unfounded.
“(We) note the court did not make a finding about genocide or call for a cease-fire in its ruling and that it called for the unconditional, immediate release of all hostages being held by Hamas,” the spokesperson added.
The U.S. recognizes that the ICJ plays a vital role in the peaceful settlement of disputes, the spokesperson said, and “we will continue to monitor this proceeding as it moves forward.”
‘The last great hope’: CIA director en route to broker Israel-Hamas hostage release deal
CIA Director William Burns is expected to travel to Europe in the coming days to facilitate negotiations between Israel and Hamas for the release of hostages. The latest proposal includes a 60-day cease-fire and a phased release of hostages, while Hamas demands a complete end to the conflict.
Meanwhile, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan meets with China’s foreign minister to address the Red Sea shipping crisis caused by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels’ attacks. Retired CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos joins "Way Too Early" to weigh in on the Israel-Hamas conflict, China’s role in Red Sea shipping and more.
Two missiles explode near ships off Yemen coast, British maritime agency says
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said it received a report of two missiles exploding near ships off the Yemen coast.
The incident reportedly occured 60 nautical miles southwest of the port city of Aden in Yemen, UKMTO said on X today, adding that coalition forces are responding.
The vessels and crews are safe with no damage reported, it added.
The agency also warned vessels in the region to move with caution and called on them to report any suspicious activity.
What did the International Court of Justice rule at its genocide hearing against Israel?
The International Court of Justice did not hold back when it came to the genocide allegations made against Israel by South Africa. The ICJ recounted in detail the “catastrophic humanitarian situation” in Gaza and ordered Israel to “take all measures within its power” to prevent genocidal acts. But it also did not grant South Africa’s main wish: a full and immediate cease-fire while the case is heard.
Today was a very early hearing in what is now likely to be a complex, yearslong case at the U.N.’s top court, based in the Netherlands. The ICJ was never going to rule whether Israel is guilty of genocide today — that will take years — but rather whether it believes there is a case to be heard in its jurisdiction under the Genocide Convention of 1948.
Its answer was yes.
The ICJ ruled that Israel must:
- “Prevent the commission of all acts” of genocide by its forces, and “punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide” by politicians and other public figures
- Allow “urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life” in Gaza
- “Prevent the destruction and ensure the preservation of evidence related to allegations of” genocide
- Submit a report to the court within one month detailing everything it’s doing to comply with these orders
U.S. pauses funding for U.N. refugee agency amid allegations staffers were involved in Oct. 7 attacks
The United States has temporarily paused additional funding for UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, while it reviews allegations that agency staffers may have been involved in the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel.
"The United States is extremely troubled by the allegations that twelve UNRWA employees may have been involved in the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement this afternoon.
Miller said Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres yesterday "to emphasize the necessity of a thorough and swift investigation of this matter," adding that Washington welcomes an investigation by the United Nations and its review of UNRWA.
“UNRWA plays a critical role in providing lifesaving assistance to Palestinians, including essential food, medicine, shelter, and other vital humanitarian support,” Miller said. “Their work has saved lives, and it is important that UNRWA address these allegations and take any appropriate corrective measures, including reviewing its existing policies and procedures.”
The U.S. has reached out to Israel to seek more information about the allegations, he added.
Palestinian ambassadors praise ICJ ruling
Majed Bamya, the Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, welcomed the verdict at the International Court of Justice today, saying in a post on X that the ruling was “not so ‘meritless’ after all.”
"Hope all the states that made dismissive statements on this case brought forward by South Africa against Israel on genocide finally stop bending the law and breaking its rule to fit Israeli crimes and atrocities against the Palestinian people," said Bamya, who is part of the Palestinian Authority's mission at the U.N. headquarters in New York.
Elsewhere, Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian ambassador to the U.K., said on X that the ruling was "a pivotal moment in the long journey towards justice and accountability, not only for the Palestinian people, but for all humanity, and for everyone striving for justice, rights and equal application of the rule of law."
He also praised South Africa, which brought the case accusing Israel of genocide to the U.N.'s top court in The Hague in the Netherlands.
He said South Africa's legal team had "forensically detailed Israel’s actions and its intent to commit genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza" and called for the world to enforce the ruling through supporting an immediate cease-fire in the enclave.
China presses Iran to rein in Houthi attacks in Red Sea, sources say
Chinese officials have asked their Iranian counterparts to help rein in attacks on ships in the Red Sea by the Iran-backed Houthis, or risk harming business relations with Beijing, four Iranian sources and a diplomat familiar with the matter said.
The discussions about the attacks and trade between China and Iran took place at several recent meetings in Beijing and Tehran, the Iranian sources said, declining to provide details about when they took place or who attended.
“Basically, China says: ‘If our interests are harmed in any way, it will impact our business with Tehran. So tell the Houthis to show restraint,’” said one Iranian official briefed on the talks, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.
The attacks, which the Houthis say are in support of Palestinians in Gaza, have raised the cost of shipping and insurance by disrupting a key trade route between Asia and Europe used widely by ships from China.
The Chinese officials, however, did not make any specific comments or threats about how Beijing’s trading relationship with Iran could be affected if its interests were damaged by Houthi attacks, the four Iranian sources said.
South Africa welcomes ICJ ruling
South Africa's government said today that it welcomed the provisional measures ordered by the ICJ against Israel.
“Today marks a decisive victory for the international rule of law and a significant milestone in the search for justice for the Palestinian people,” the government said in a statement.
“In a landmark ruling, ICJ has determined that Israel’s actions in Gaza are plausibly genocidal and has indicated provisional measures on that basis,” it added.
“South Africa sincerely hopes that Israel will not act to frustrate the application of this Order, as it has publicly threatened to do, but that it will instead act to comply with it fully, as it is bound to do,” the statement said.
The government also said that it would continue to help protect basic rights of Palestinian people in Gaza.
UNRWA investigates staff accused of taking part in Oct. 7 attacks
The head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees said today that it had started investigations into staff who were suspected of being involved in the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel.
“The Israeli Authorities have provided UNRWA with information about the alleged involvement of several UNRWA employees in the horrific attacks on Israel,” Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, said in a statement.
Condeming the attacks and urging the release of Israeli hostages, he said that those found to have been involved would be held accountable and criminally prosecuted. Some had already had their contracts terminated, he added.
“These shocking allegations come as more than 2 million people in Gaza depend on lifesaving assistance that the Agency has been providing since the war began,” he said. “Anyone who betrays the fundamental values of the United Nations also betrays those whom we serve in Gaza, across the region and elsewhere around the world.”
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said today that he was “horrified” by allegations against UNRWA staffers in Gaza, according to a statement released by his spokesperson.
The statement said Guterres had been briefed on the matter by Commissioner-General of UNRWA Philippe Lazzarini.
It added that he had asked Lazzarini to investigate the matter swiftly, ensuring that any staff members who participated in or abetted the Oct. 7 attacks be terminated immediately and referred for potential criminal prosecution.
An “urgent and comprehensive independent review” of UNRWA will be conducted, the statement said.
Israel 'does not need to be lectured on morality,' defense minister says after ICJ ruling
Israel's defense minister criticized the U.N.'s top court after its ruling today and said he has full confidence in his country's military.
Israel “does not need to be lectured on morality in order to distinguish between terrorists and the civilian population in Gaza,” Yoav Gallant said in a statement.
“The International Court of Justice in The Hague went above and beyond, when it granted South Africa’s antisemitic request to discuss the claim of genocide in Gaza, and now refuses to reject the petition outright,” he said.
“Those who seek justice, will not find it on the leather chairs of the court chambers in The Hague — they will find it in the Hamas tunnels in Gaza, where 136 hostages are held, and where those who murdered our children are hiding,” he said.
Gallant added that the Israeli military and security agencies “will continue operating to dismantle the military and governing capabilities of the Hamas terrorist organization, and to return the hostages to their homes.”
Dueling protests outside the ICJ
Pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian activists gathered near the International Court of Justice in The Hague today for the ruling.
Israel will continue to 'defend our people,' Netanyahu says
Netanyahu vowed that Israel would “continue to do what is necessary" to defend itself after the ruling by the ICJ today.
"Like every country, Israel has an inherent right to defend itself. The vile attempt to deny Israel this fundamental right is blatant discrimination against the Jewish state, and it was justly rejected," he said in a video statement in English.
Netanyahu continued: "The charge of genocide leveled against Israel is not only false, it’s outrageous, and decent people everywhere should reject it.”
He said that "Israel’s commitment to international law is unwavering. Equally unwavering is our sacred commitment to continue to defend our country and defend our people," adding that “our war is against Hamas terrorists, not against Palestinian civilians.”
Netanyahu concluded: “We will continue to facilitate humanitarian assistance, and to do our utmost to keep civilians out of harm’s way, even as Hamas uses civilians as human shields.”
'Hague Shmague': Israeli security minister reacts to ICJ ruling
Israel’s right-wing security minister has called the International Court of Justice in The Hague “antisemitic” after it ordered his country to take all measures within its power to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Itamar Ben-Gvir said in a statement that the decision “proves what was known in advance: this court does not seek justice, but rather the persecution of the Jewish people.”
Ben-Gvir, the head of the ultranationalist religious Jewish Power party, has a history of inflammatory remarks and actions against Palestinians. He added: “Decisions that endanger the continued existence of the State of Israel must not be listened to. And we must continue defeating the enemy until complete victory.”
In a post on X, Ben-Gvir said simply: "Hague Shmague"
Palestinian foreign minister welcomes ICJ judgment
In the first reaction from a leading Palestinian figure, the provisional measures ordered by the ICJ were welcomed today by the Palestinian foreign minister.
In a televised speech, Riyad al-Maliki said that the panel of 17 judges “assessed the facts and the law, they ruled in favor of humanity and international law.”
He added that his government was calling on all states to ensure the measures ordered by the court are implemented “including by Israel.”
Al-Maliki is foreign minister for the Palestinian Authority, which partially administers the occupied West Bank. Hamas controls Gaza.
In a separate statement, the foreign ministry said it was calling on “all states to ensure that all provisional measures ordered by the court are implemented, including by Israel.” It added that this was “a binding legal obligation.”
It also offered “its eternal gratitude to the people and government of South Africa for taking this bold step of active solidarity.”
ICJ stops short of ordering cease-fire, tells Israel to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza
The United Nations’ top court has told Israel it must take measures to prevent its forces from committing acts of genocide against Palestinians — but stopped short of using its power to order a full cease-fire in the Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip.
The ICJ also said Israel must allow humanitarian aid to the Palestinians and not destroy any evidence related to the case. These “provisional measures” are different than the main ask requested by South Africa, which is bringing the case and wanted a total and immediate cease-fire.
ICJ President Judge Joan E. Donoghue said the court was ordering these "provisional measures" because "the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is at serious risk of deteriorating before the court reaches its final judgement."
U.N. court declines Israel's request to toss out genocide case
The ICJ has declined Israel’s request to throw out the genocide case brought against it by South Africa, saying that the allegations “appear to be capable of falling within the provisions of the” Genocide Convention of 1948.
President Joan E. Donoghue noted that at this stage in the case, the ICJ does not have to rule definitively whether Israel is guilty of genocide, only that the allegations it is accused of could potentially fall within its jurisdiction.
“Given this conclusion, the court considers that it cannot exceed to Israel’s requests for the case to be removed from the general list,” she said.
Israel has called the accusations "baseless."
ICJ president recounts 'human tragedy' in Israel and Gaza before ruling
ICJ President Joan E. Donoghue has started the hearing by recounting that, on Oct. 7, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups carried out "an attack in Israel, killing more than 1,200 persons, injuring 1,000s and abducting some 240 people, many of whom continue to be held hostage."
She added that Israel then "launched a large-scale military operation in Gaza by land, air and sea, which is causing massive civilian casualties, extensive destruction of civilian infrastructure, and the displacement of the overwhelming majority of the population in Gaza."
The ICJ "is acutely aware of the extent of the human tragedy that is unfolding in the region, and is deeply concerned about the continuing loss of life and human suffering," she said.
Top U.N. court begins ruling on whether to order Israel to halt Gaza offensive
The much-anticipated hearing at the International Court of Justice has begun, with its president, Judge Joan E. Donoghue, reading a summary of the case.
Today's ICJ ruling in the Israel genocide case: What to know
Today’s hearing at the ICJ is only the very first step of a potentially yearslong courtroom fight between South Africa and Israel.
In the long run, South Africa is accusing Israel of genocide, which Israel denies. But in the meantime, South Africa has asked the court to issue an emergency order for Israel to halt its war in Gaza while the case goes through its motions.
This interim request is what the court is schedule to rule on at 1 p.m. local time today (7 a.m. ET). It might not be a yes-no decision, according to experts. The ICJ could issue a preliminary order of its own that has different conditions to South Africa’s request: perhaps telling Israel to allow more aid into Gaza, for example. The 17 judges do not have to agree, only to reach a majority vote.
If the ICJ does issue such an order, Israel’s rhetoric and past behavior suggest it may ignore the ruling.
The court could send the decision to the U.N. Security Council to impose sanctions, although these would likely be vetoed by the United States, Israel’s biggest ally and backer, which also opposes the ICJ case. Such a result would be nonetheless significant in terms of the international court of public opinion, however, and countries could reference it when deciding to impose their own unilateral punishments on Israel.
If the court tosses out the request, then South Africa can carry on with the rest of the case, although legal experts say such a rejection would come as a significant blow to its overall argument that Israel is guilty of genocide. There is no appeals process.
U.S. reiterates genocide accusations against Israel are 'unfounded' ahead of IJC ruling
The United States reiterated yesterday its view that the accusation Israel is committing genocide in Gaza is unfounded.
Asked if Washington thinks parties should abide by any provisional measures advised by the U.N.'s top court today, State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters he did not want to get ahead of the legal process, but reiterated the U.S. stance on the issue.
"What I will just say again — and we spoke to this when the arguments are ongoing — is that the allegations that Israel is committing genocide we believe to be unfounded, but simultaneously, we will continue to make clear with our partners in Israel that they not only need to comply with international humanitarian law as it conducts this operation against Hamas, but they also have a moral and strategic imperative to take feasible steps, additional steps to prevent civilian harm," he said.
The National Security Council's coordinator for strategic communications, John Kirby, said earlier this month that the U.S. finds South Africa's submission against Israel to be "meritless, counterproductive, and completely without any basis in fact whatsoever."
Blinken speaks with South African foreign minister ahead of ICJ ruling
As the United Nations' top court is set to rule on South Africa’s request that it issue an emergency order for Israel to halt its military offensive in the Gaza Strip, Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with South Africa's foreign minister.
Blinken discussed with Minister Naledi Pandor the conflict in Gaza, including the need to protect civilian lives, ensure sustained humanitarian assistance and work towards lasting regional peace that "ensures Israel’s security and advances the establishment of an independent Palestinian state," according to State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.
Blinken also reaffirmed support for Israel’s right to ensure the terrorist attacks of Oct. 7 can never be repeated, Miller added.
Heavy rains and cold hit Gazans sheltering in makeshift tents
TEL AVIV — Heavy rains expected to last through the weekend are only worsening conditions in Gaza, where most of the population has been displaced, with many families taking shelter in makeshift tents in the south of the Palestinian enclave.
An NBC News crew on the ground described how a deluge last night lasted into the morning, making conditions extremely difficult, particularly for those living in tents. Periods of rain are expected throughout the weekend and into early next week, while temperatures have also dipped in the enclave, where it was about 65 degrees Fahrenheit this morning.
The cold and rainy weather risks making Gaza “completely uninhabitable,” the U.N. human rights office has warned. It "risks making an already unsanitary situation completely uninhabitable for the people," said Ajith Sunghay, head of the U.N. Human Rights Office in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Gazans and Israelis await ICJ ruling
TEL AVIV — Gazans and Israelis are waiting to hear the International Court of Justice’s ruling today on South Africa’s request for the United Nations court to order a temporary cease-fire in Gaza as South Africa accuses Israel of genocide.
An Israeli government spokesman told NBC News yesterday he expected the case to be tossed out. Meanwhile, Israeli news outlets featured the looming decision prominently on their websites, with some planning live coverage of the decision.
A number of Gazans have previously told NBC News they have been watching the proceedings unfold — though an ongoing communications blackout will make it difficult for most to follow today’s ruling. Some Gazans expressed gratitude toward South Africa for taking Israel to the ICJ, saying they hoped it would bring about an end to Israel’s offensive.
WHO chief breaks down describing ‘hellish’ Gaza conditions
World Heath Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus broke down during a plea to the global health body's governing body yesterday, describing the situation in Gaza as "hellish."
The WHO chief had difficulty articulating his thoughts, he said. "I'm struggling to speak because," and took a moment to collect himself before adding that the situation is "beyond words."
He stressed that war is not a solution as it would only bring "more war, more hatred and more agony."
"70% of the dead (in Gaza) are children and women. That alone is enough for a cease-fire," he added.
45% drop in Suez trade volume following Houthi attacks, U.N. says
The U.N.’s leading institution on trade reports a 45% drop in traffic in the Suez Canal following Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea.
Jan Hoffman, chief of the UNCTAD Trade Facilitation Section, briefed reporters yesterday that the drop could be worrisome for global trade since over 80% of goods are carried by sea and the Suez Canal is crucial to the industry, handling some 12% of the global trade.
“We are very concerned that the attacks on Red Sea shipping are adding tensions and costs to global trade, exacerbating trade disruption due to geopolitics and climate change,” Hoffman said.
Major shipping companies have redirected their ships for safety reasons, adding to costs and delays. The U.N. agency said 39% fewer ships than at the start of December transited the canal, leading to a 45% drop in freight tonnage.
IDF soldiers patrol inside Gaza
An Image released by the Israeli Army this morning shows soldiers during ground operations at an undisclosed locations within the Gaza Strip.
Gallant tells Austin U.S. pressure ‘important’ to bring hostages home
TEL AVIV — In a call last night with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized the need for “U.S. pressure” in order to see hostages held by Hamas released, Gallant’s office said.
Gallant sought to emphasize how “important” U.S. pressure is “in the efforts to return the hostages home,” Gallant’s office said.
The Israeli defense minister also updated Austin on Israel’s offensive in Gaza, noting that forces were mainly focused on the area of Khan Younis in the enclave’s south. Thousands of Palestinians have fled the city and surrounding areas in recent days amid heavy bombardments and fighting.
Austin’s office said the defense secretary reiterated the U.S.’s support for “Israel’s right to defend itself” during the call, as well as the importance of ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of aid into Gaza. He also reaffirmed the U.S.’s commitment to pursuing diplomacy to resolve tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border to avoid regional escalation.
Gaza death toll passes 26,000, health ministry says
The death toll in the Gaza Strip is now over 26,000, Palestinian health officials said today, amid unrelenting ground and air offensive by Israel.
The health ministry in the Hamas-run enclave said more than 64,000 people have been injured since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
In the last 24 hours, 183 people were killed and another 377 injured, it said.
But the total numbers could be higher, as Gazan officials said last month that thousands more are missing under the rubble amid continued bombardment.
Nasser Hospital out of anesthesia and food as Palestinians seek aid in Khan Younis
Nasser Hospital, the main health facility in Khan Younis, is nearly out of supplies as desperate civilians seek care after days of bombardment in the southern Gaza city.
Dr. Ashraf Al-Qudra, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Health in Gaza, reported that the hospital has no more pain-relieving medications to offer patients and that the operating rooms are completely out of anesthesia. There is reportedly no more food, even as many seek shelter at the facility.
“The remaining amount of fuel is sufficient for less than five days in Nasser Medical Complex,” Al-Qudra said.
The Health Ministry also reported that the area surrounding the hospital’s complex has been subjected to intense fighting. The IDF did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Desperate scene as food is distributed in southern Gaza
Palestinians with empty containers reach out as food is distributed by charitable organizations in Rafah, southern Gaza yesterday.
Catch up with NBC News’ latest coverage of the war
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- Group of Palestinians waving a white flag in a safe zone is shot at, killing 1
- Father hails ‘miracle’ daughters who were pulled from rubble after Israeli strike
- Torture allegations spiked in Israeli jails after Oct. 7, as one group warns jailers seek ‘revenge’