Gaza: the International Court of Justice orders Israel to “prevent and punish” incitement to “genocide”. The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the highest court of the United Nations, rendered a first decision this Friday, January 26 on urgent measures requested by South Africa against Israel, which it accuses of “genocide” in the Gaza strip. At the end of the hearing, which lasted about an hour, the president of the ICJ considered that “at least certain acts [in Gaza] seem likely to fall within the scope of the Genocide Convention” and ordered Israel to “prevent and punish” incitement to “genocide.” The Hague-based judicial body called on Israel to take more measures to protect Palestinians, but stopped short of ordering a ceasefire. More information here.
The European Union expects “immediate” implementation of the ICJ decision. The European Union expects “complete and immediate” implementation of the verdict delivered this Friday by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which calls on Israel to prevent any possible act of “genocide” and to allow access to the humanitarian aid to Gaza. The decisions of the International Court of Justice are binding on the parties and they must comply with them. The European Union expects their full, immediate and effective implementation,” said a joint statement from the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, and the European Commission.
Hamas releases video of three Israeli hostages. The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas broadcast a video this Friday on Telegram in which three Israeli hostages appear, two of whom identify themselves as soldiers. The three women were formally identified by the AFP, based on official or community sources, as being held hostage since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. The three women indicate in the video, which lasts just under five minutes, that they were detained for 107 days, suggesting that it was filmed on Sunday. Some 250 people were kidnapped and taken to Gaza, according to Israeli authorities. Around a hundred were released at the end of November during a truce in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and 132 hostages are still held captive in the Palestinian territory, 28 of whom are believed to have died.
New Houthi missile attacks in the Red Sea. Two missiles exploded this Friday near a ship off the coast of Yemen, without causing damage, reported the British maritime security agency UKMTO, as Yemeni Houthi rebels increase attacks against merchant shipping in the Red Sea and in the Gulf of Aden. “The ship and crew are safe,” UKMTO said, indicating that the explosion occurred in the water 60 nautical miles southwest of the city of Aden. Maritime risk company Ambrey also reported an “explosion” in the same area, about 1 meter from a Panama-flagged, India-affiliated oil tanker. “The ship had last been loaded in Russia and was heading east,” the company added.
The United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees is letting go of several employees. The United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) announced this Friday that it had separated from “several” of its employees, accused by the Israeli authorities of being involved in the October 7 terrorist attack against Israel. “Israeli authorities provided UNRWA with information on the supposed involvement of several of its employees in the attacks,” said a statement from the head of the agency, Philippe Lazzarini. “I have decided to immediately terminate the contracts of these staff members and to open an investigation so that the truth can be established without delay,” he adds.
Washington announces the suspension of its funding for UNRWA. The United States will “temporarily suspend” all future funding to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) after allegations that employees may have been involved in the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, announced Friday American diplomacy. “The United States is extremely concerned by allegations that 12 UNRWA employees may have been involved in the Hamas terrorist attack against Israel on October 7,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller announced. in a press release.
This article is originally published on liberation.fr
