The International Court of Justice (ICJ) announced Thursday that it will issue its ruling on Friday regarding South Africa's request for an order mandating Israel to implement a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

The ICJ, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, will deliver its order on "the request for the modification and the indication of provisional measures" submitted by South Africa on May 10, 2024, in its genocide case against Israel, according to an unofficial press release.

South Africa has petitioned the ICJ for emergency measures, citing Israel’s indiscriminate killing and lack of distinction of Palestinians in Gaza, which has led to a humanitarian crisis and famine in the area. The request specifically calls for Israel to "cease its military operations in the Gaza Strip," including in Rafah city, where extensive offensives have displaced nearly a million Gazans. South Africa also seeks an order granting UN representatives, humanitarian relief groups, journalists, and investigators unhindered access to Gaza.

Since initiating legal procedures, South Africa has made four requests for emergency measures from the ICJ, asserting that Israel’s military actions in Gaza amount to genocide. South Africa has highlighted that Israel has ignored and violated previous court rulings. In January, the ICJ urged Israel to refrain from actions that could lead to genocide and to facilitate humanitarian access to Gaza.

Several countries, including Libya, Egypt, and Türkiye, have recently announced their intention to intervene in the genocide case filed by South Africa against Israel at the ICJ, in response to the ongoing violence in the Gaza Strip.

The decisions and orders of the ICJ are binding and cannot be appealed. While the court lacks the means to enforce its rulings, issuing an order against a country can damage its reputation on the international stage and set a legal precedent.

A Hebrew media outlet reports that Israeli officials fear the Court might rule more harshly against Israel this time, potentially subjecting it to international penalties.

The ICJ's ruling on South Africa’s request is highly anticipated and could have significant implications for the ongoing genocide and international legal standards. (ILKHA)