Minister Bettel Reiterates Need for Ceasefire Following ICJ Ruling on Gaza

Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, Xavier Bettel, has issued a statement in response to the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in relation to the war in Gaza.

On Friday 26 January 2024, the ICJ ruled (in a case brought forward by South Africa) that Israel must "take all measures within its power" to limit death and destruction and to prevent and punish incitement to commit genocide in Gaza. It did not explicitly order a ceasefire.

In response, Minister Bettel said on Saturday 27 January 2024 that he took note of the ICJ decision. He highlighted in particular the provisional measures ordered by the court "on the need to avoid any civilian casualties, on the need to substantially and urgently improve the access of the civilian population of Gaza to basic services and to humanitarian aid, and finally on the condemnation of the authors of remarks considered to incite genocide."

Luxembourg's Foreign Minister called for the "full implementation" of these provisional measures, which is "obligatory from the point of view of international law".

He went on to reiterate his "unchanged" position on the need for an immediate ceasefire, which would be "the most effective and rapid way to implement these precautionary measures."

He also reiterated his call for "the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages" still held by Hamas.