SEAToday.com, The Hague - The top United Nations (UN) Court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), on Thursday (3/28), ordered Israel to take all necessary measures to ensure unhindered basic services and humanitarian assistance, as famine is setting in in Gaza.

The unanimous decision stated that Palestinians are no longer facing only a risk of famine, but it is setting in. In its legally binding order, the ICJ ordered Israel to be in full cooperation with the UN and allow humanitarian aid, such as food, water, fuel, and medical supplies, into Gaza unhindered. The court also ordered Israel to ensure that its military does not commit any violations of Palestinians’ rights.

The orders were issued after South Africa sought more provisional measures in its genocide case against Israel, highlighting starvation in Gaza. Israel, which had urged the court not to issue new orders, said it places no limits on aid entering Gaza and called the allegations “wholly unfounded”.