UN court allows Israel-Hamas war to continue, but warns Israel

The UN's International Court of Justice has warned Israel that they must do everything in their power to prevent genocide in Palestine, but stopped short of demanding the end of the war.

The case was brought by South Africa and they had asked for a court order to stop military action from Israel, pending a decision on whether Israel had committed genocide.

Friday's hearing at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague was the first time the judges have issued a ruling as part of the case which began two weeks ago. A verdict on the central allegation of genocide is expected to take much longer, possibly years.

Although the court did not call for a halt to Israel's military action, as South Africa had asked it to do, it is being interpreted as a victory for those who support South Africa's case.

Israel have rejected the idea, calling the basis for the case "wholly unfounded". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not address the ruling directly but said "Israel's commitment to international law is unwavering. Equally unwavering is our sacred commitment to defend our country."

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant dismissed the ruling, saying Israel "does not need to be lectured on morality in order to distinguish between terrorists and the civilian population in Gaza".

"For the implementation of the international rule of law, the [ICJ's] decision is a momentous one," said South Africa in a statement. It called Friday's ruling a "significant milestone in the search for justice for the Palestinian people".

The Palestinian foreign minister said the ruling showed that "no state is above the law", adding it "should serve as a wake-up call for Israel and actors who enabled its entrenched impunity".

A spokesman for Hamas, the Palestinian group whose unprecedented attack on Israel on 7 October triggered the war, called the outcome "important", saying it contributed to "isolating Israel", Reuters news agency reported.