UAE welcomes ICJ ruling to protect Palestinians in Gaza Strip

A demonstrator waves the Palestinian flag in front of the Peace Palace, which houses the International Court of Justice, in The Hague. AFP

A pro-Palestinian demonstrator outside the International Court of Justice which was delivering an interim ruling on South Africa's genocide case against Israel. Reuters

South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, centre, addresses reporters after the court session. AP

People embrace during a demonstration in solidarity with the Palestinian population, in The Hague. EPA

Presiding judge Joan Donoghue speaks during the session at the International Court of Justice. AP

South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor and Vusimuzi Madonsela, the country's ambassador to the Netherlands, confer during the session. EPA

Judges at the International Court of Justice. Reuters

Residents gather at the Dullah Omar Centre in Cape Town to watch the ruling in The Hague. AFP

British jurist Malcolm Shaw, centre, and Gilad Noam, left, Israel's Deputy Attorney General for International Affairs, attend the session. AP

Israelis watch a live stream of the court session at a TV shop in Jerusalem. EPA

Police officers in front of the Peace Palace. EPA

Police carry a security fence near the Peace Palace. AP

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The UAE has welcomed the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) preliminary rulings, announced on Friday.

The UN’s highest court ordered Israel to take all measures to prevent genocide against Gazans and allow vital aid into the Palestinian enclave.

The court did not rule at this stage on the core of the case brought by South Africa on whether genocide has occurred in Gaza, but it recognised the right of Palestinians to be protected from acts of genocide, which it described as “plausible”.

The panel of 17 judges also dismissed Israel's attempt to throw out the case and ordered it to report back in a month, outlining six provisional measures to protect Palestinians in Gaza.

Responding, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasised in a statement that the UAE welcomes the decision.

The Ministry stressed that the UAE appreciates the efforts of South Africa, reaffirming the importance of providing protection for civilians, and called for a two-state solution with an independent Palestinian state.

The Ministry also emphasised the importance of delivering humanitarian aid, while highlighting the need to avoid further loss of life.

Meanwhile, fighting continues in Gaza.

Israeli aircraft, tanks and infantry troops killed at least 11 militants over the past 24 hours in battles in Khan Younis, the military claimed on Saturday.

The forces fired on militants who were trying to plant explosives near troops and others firing rifles and rocket-propelled grenades at soldiers, the Israeli military said.