In the Hague, the International Court of Justice has unanimously ordered Israel to take all the necessary and effective action to ensure basic food supplies arrive without delay to the Palestinian population in Gaza. The World Court said the Palestinians in Gaza are facing worsening conditions of life, and famine and starvation are spreading. The order came on Thursday when it observed Palestinians in Gaza are no longer facing only a risk of famine but that famine is setting in.

South Africa had requested the new measure as part of its ongoing case that accuses Israel of state-led genocide in Gaza. Earlier, in January, the World Court ordered Israel to refrain from any acts that could fall under the Genocide Convention and to ensure its troops commit no genocidal acts against Palestinians in Gaza.