In its legally binding order, the court told Israel to take “all necessary and effective measures to ensure, without delay, in full cooperation with the United Nations, the unhindered provision at scale by all concerned of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance” including food, water, fuel and medical supplies.

The ICJ also ordered Israel to immediately ensure “that its military does not commit acts which constitute a violation of any of the rights of the Palestinians in Gaza as a protected group under the convention on the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide, including by preventing, through any action, the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance”.

Hopefully this will have a meaningful effect, but I fear international intervention will be needed to stop the genocide.

Israel denies it is committing genocide and says its military campaign is self-defence.

The ICJ order came as heavy fighting took place around two key hospitals in Gaza on Thursday, while a third was reportedly under Israeli siege, amid growing international concern for the safety of patients, civilians and medical staff in the facilities.

Terrorizing people desperate for medical care from Israel’s unending bombing campaign, such self-defense