Guterres Heeds ICJ Ruling and Insists On a Ceasefire

The United Nations Secretary General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres heeded the decision made on Friday by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the UNSG insisted on his call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

On a press release disclosed here, Guterres recalled that the Court’s decisions are binding spurring all parties to duly comply with in accordance with the Charter and the Statute of the Court.

Meanwhile, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UNSG reaffirmed the UN position to call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

“The Court is a pillar of the UN system, an important organ. The Secretary General firmly believes that its decisions must be respected as they are legally binding,” Dujarric told at a press conference.

However, the spokesperson pointed out that the UNSG’s stance remains “strong and clear” in urging for a cease-fire.

The press release heeds the Court’s decision to order Israel to take all measures in its power to prevent acts of genocide in the current escalation in the Gaza Strip; including murder, causing serious bodily or mental harm, deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about the destruction of groups and imposing measures designed to thwart births.

The statement stresses the need to ensure the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse living conditions of Palestinians in Gaza.