Israel has been ordered to take measures to prevent genocide in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The International Court of Justice in the Hague has told Israel must ensure its forces do not commit genocide and take immediate measures to improve the humanitarian situation.
In a sweeping ruling, a large majority of the 17-judge panel of the ICJ voted for the order for Israel to prevent acts of genocide against the Palestinians and do more to help civilians in Gaza.
The court did not rule on the core of the case brought by South Africa, whether genocide has occurred in Gaza. But it recognised the right of Palestinians in Gaza to be protected from acts of genocide.
Protests took place outside the court in The Hague
Reuters
In bringing the case to the ICJ, South Africa had requested an immediate halt to Israel's military operation. The court did not grant this motion.
Israel had asked the court to reject the case outright, saying it respects international law and has a right to defend itself.
While the ICJ did not order a ceasefire, it said it would not throw out the genocide case, ruling that the Palestinians appeared to be a protected group under the 1948 Genocide Convention.
It did not decide the merits of the genocide allegations. Israel has previously called South Africa's allegations false and "grossly distorted", and said it makes the utmost efforts to avoid civilian casualties.
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Judges at the ICJ met to deliver the verdict
Reuters
South Africa first brought the case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) earlier this month, asking it to grant emergency measures to halt the fighting.
It accused Israel of state-led genocide in its offensive, begun after Hamas militants stormed into Israel killing 1,200 and kidnapping more than 240 on October 7. Israel sought to have the case thrown out.
Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki said: "The ICJ judges assessed the facts and the law, they ruled in favor of humanity and international law."
Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir wrote on social media: "Hague shmague."
The court ruled that Israel must take all measures to prevent any acts that could be considered genocidal
Reuters
According to Gaza health authorities, more than 25,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the conflict.
Judge Joan Donoghue says the ICJ considers that the civilian population in Gaza remains extremely vulnerable.
South Africa hailed what it called a "decisive victory" for international rule of law. The department of international relations and cooperation said: "Today marks a decisive victory for the international rule of law and a significant milestone in the search for justice for the Palestinian people."
"South Africa sincerely hopes that Israel will not act to frustrate the application of this Order, as it has publicly threatened to do, but that it will instead act to comply with it fully, as it is bound to do."
