The ICJ issued the rulings on January 26 and ordered Israel to submit a report to the court on all measures taken within one month. Following the decision, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the country would continue to protect itself against Palestinian movement Hamas while respecting the norms of international law. Israel continued its military actions in the enclave.
Several lawyers interpreted the ICJ orders as allowing Israel to continue hostilities as long as military actions are done without genocidal intent, but Albanese expressed her disagreement with such an opinion, saying that Israel had to cease all activities that could constitute a genocide, the media reported.
"The fatalities are not solely the result of bombings and sniper attacks. They also occur due to a scarcity of medical supplies and treatment, and, most distressingly, due to inadequate access to food and potable water, forcing consumption of contaminated or polluted water," Albanese said in an interview with the media.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from Gaza and breached the border, killing 1,200 people and abducting around 240 others. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. Over 27,900 people have been killed so far in the Gaza Strip, local authorities said.
On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1. More than 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza.