JERUSALEM 

Israel is expecting a tough decision from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is currently hearing another petition filed by South Africa seeking additional provisional measures against Tel Aviv for its ongoing attacks on the Gaza Strip.

The ICJ judges are currently hearing a South African case, requesting additional sanctions against Israel for its war on Gaza, Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported on Tuesday.

In early March, South Africa requested that the top UN court order additional emergency measures against Israel in response to its extensive attacks on Gaza, warning that Palestinians in the besieged enclave are facing starvation and requesting that all parties cease hostilities and release all hostages and detainees.

Several international and UN organizations have warned of the increasing risk of famine in the Gaza Strip, as the Israeli army continues to obstruct and impede the entry of much-needed humanitarian assistance, particularly in the northern areas of the enclave.

The world court will rule on the requested additional measures in the coming days, which may include criticism of Israel as well as requests for additional monitoring reports, according to the KAN broadcaster report.

However, observers in Israel believe that no additional orders, such as a cessation of the war on Gaza, will be issued, but that the court will take a critical tone toward Israel, which is unusual, said the broadcaster.

Earlier on Monday, the UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in Gaza during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which began on March 11 and is expected to end on April 9 based on the sighting of the new moon.

Israel has waged a deadly military offensive on the Palestinian territory since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas in which some 1,200 Israelis were killed.

More than 32,333 Palestinians have since been killed and over 74,694 injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities.

The Israeli war, now in its 172nd day, has pushed 85% of Gaza’s population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar