President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has welcomed the order of preliminary measures by the International Court of Justice on the application submitted by South Africa requesting to declare that Israel is in breach of the 1948 “Convention of the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide”.

South Africa filed a complaint with the ICJ earlier this month seeking an immediate cessation order against Israel for its genocide in Palestine. South Africa also called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Issuing the interim order in the case, the judges said there were allegations of violations of the Convention based on South Africa's complaints against Israel.

The ICJ in its decision, ordered Israel to take all measures to prevent the commission of genocide in the Gaza Strip, including ensuring that its military does not commit such acts. The Court also ordered Israel to prevent and punish all incitement to genocide, and to take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance in the Gaza Strip.

Welcoming the decision, President Muizzu stated that the Maldives "believes that Israel needs to stop the killing in Gaza and implement an immediate ceasefire. Every human life has value, which needs to be protected. Bombings, displacement and apartheid will not bring peace."

He also added that true and lasting peace can only be attained by establishing an independent Palestinian State based on pre-1967 borders.

The ICJ issued an interim order today in the case filed by South Africa, aimed at providing some protection for Palestinians in Gaza while the court hears the original case, which is expected to take years to render its ruling on the case.

The ICJ did not order Israel to stop its attacks on the Palestinians. But it commanded Israel seven things. These include:

- Israel was asked to respect and comply with the Genocide Convention

- Ensure that the Israeli army does not commit the crimes described in the Genocide Convention

- Israel take seriously statements that encourage murder

- Israel to take into account the humanitarian crisis facing the Palestinian people

- Israel must ensure that the Palestinian people receive the humanitarian assistance they need

- Israel to not destroy any evidence of a massacre

- To submit a report on Israel's response to the ICJ order

Although ICJ decisions must be followed, there is no body to enforce them. Therefore, there is a possibility that Israel will not comply with the ICJ's orders.