The International Court of Justice is expected to give an initial ruling later, on whether it will grant emergency measures to stop the war in Gaza.
South Africa is pressing for an order to halt all military operations there, as it accuses Israeli forces of carrying out genocide. A ruling against Israel is not enforceable by the International Court of Justice, but would be politically significant. South Africa brought the case to The Hague, accusing Israeli forces of genocide in Gaza, but Israel categorically rejects the accusation. Officials representing South Africa want the court to issue nine provisional measures, including a halt to military activity by Israel. More than 25-thousand people have been killed in Palestine since the conflict erupted in early October following a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently said his country has a right to defend itself, and he'll "not compromise on full Israeli control" over Gaza.
