THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE AGAINST ISRAEL IN THE 2025 GAZA GENOCIDE CASE

Abstract

This study analyzes the effectiveness of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in addressing the alleged genocide committed by Israel in the Gaza Strip in 2025, highlighting the tension between international legal norms and global political realities. The research employs a qualitative approach through library research. The findings show that the ICJ plays a pivotal role in affirming the prohibition of genocide as a jus cogens norm and in issuing binding provisional measures, including orders for the prevention of genocide and guarantees of humanitarian aid access. However, the implementation of these rulings faces significant obstacles in the field. United Nations reports up to mid-2025 indicate that humanitarian aid distribution remains blocked and attacks on civilian areas continue, revealing a compliance gap between legal obligations and political reality. This research concludes that the ICJ’s effectiveness lies more in its normative and reputational influence than in its coercive power. Its decisions provide a foundation for the legitimacy of diplomatic pressure, encourage informal sanctions, and strengthen the anti-genocide norm at the international level.