By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA): After the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a provisional rulings on Gaza, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday said that the court’s decisions are “binding.”

“The Secretary-General recalls that, pursuant to the Charter and to the Statute of the Court, decisions of the Court are binding and trusts that all parties will duly comply with the Order from the Court,” his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement .

The statement came after the ICJ ordered Israel to “take all measures within its power” to prevent further bloodshed in Gaza in line with Genocide Convention obligations. The court also called for the immediate release of all hostages.

“He also notes the Court’s instruction to Israel to ensure with immediate effect that its military does not commit any of these acts.

“Further, the Secretary-General takes special note of the Court’s order to Israel to ensure the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in Gaza,” he added.

Guterres will promptly transmit the notice of the provisional measures ordered by the Court to the Security Council, Dujarric said.

At a news briefing, Dujarric told the reporters that Guterres “strongly” believes that the Court’s decisions should be respected as they are binding, and he believes in the dependence of the Court.

Underlying the call of Guterres for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, Dujarric said: “His position has been what it is. It’s been very clear. We’ve taken note of everything that the court has decided.”

South Africa brought a genocide case against Israel to the ICJ in late December and asked it to grant emergency measures to end the bloodshed in Gaza, where more than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed, including 10,400 children, 7,100 women and 64,487 injured since Oct. 7. 7,800 Palestinians are missing.

The court also ordered Israel to take “immediate and effective” measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance in the Gaza Strip, but fell short of ordering a cease-fire.

What are the provisional measures ordered by ICJ?

ICJ on Friday ordered Israel to contain death and damage in its military offensive in the Gaza Strip, where more than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed since last October.

Seventeen judges sat on the panel, which dismissed Israel’s request to throw out the case.

Public hearings on South Africa’s request for provisional measures were held on Jan. 11 and 12.

The provisional measures:

1 Israel shall, in accordance with obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention, take all measures to prevent genocide in Gaza Strip

By 15 votes to 2

Against: Uganda, Israel

2. Israel shall ensure with immediate effect that its military does not commit any genocidal acts

By 15 votes to 2

Against: Uganda, Israel

3 – Israel shall take all measures to prevent and punish direct and public offense to commit genocide

By 16 votes to 1

Against: Uganda

4 – Israel shall take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians

By 16 votes to 1

Against: Uganda

5 – Israel shall take effective measures to prevent the destruction and ensure the preservation of evidence related to accusation of acts of genocide

By 15 votes to 2

Against: Uganda, Israel

6 – Israel shall submit a report to the ICJ on all measures taken to give effect to this order within 1 month

By 15 votes to 2

Against: Uganda, Israel

[Photo: Netherlands The Hague South Africa Minister of Foreign Affairs Naledi Pandor making statements after attending ICJ session on Gaza genocide case against Israel made by South Africa at The Hague, Netherlands on 26 1 24. Photojournalist: Selman Aksünger/ AA]