Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted Friday to the ruling by the International Court of Justice on the genocide case brought by South Africa against Israel, saying that "Israel's commitment to international law is unwavering."
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"Equally unwavering is our sacred commitment to continue to defend our country and defend our people," Netanyahu said.
The ICJ stopped short of ordering a ceasefire in Gaza in a genocide case but demanded that Israel try to contain death and damage in its anti-terrorism campaign offensive in the coastal enclave.
South Africa brought the case and had asked the court to order Israel to halt its operation. In the highly anticipated decision made by a panel of 17 judges, the International Court of Justice decided not to throw out the case – and ordered six so-called provisional measures to protect Palestinians in Gaza.
Video: Netanyahu reacts to ICJ ruling / Credit: X/@israelipm
"The court is acutely aware of the extent of the human tragedy that is unfolding in the region and is deeply concerned about the continuing loss of life and human suffering," Joan E. Donoghue, the court's president, said.
Friday's decision is only an interim one; it could take years for the full case brought by South Africa to be considered. Israel rejects the genocide accusation and had asked the court to throw the charges out.
While the case winds its way through the court, South Africa has asked the judges "as a matter of extreme urgency" to impose provisional measures.
Top of the South African list was a request for the court to order Israel to "immediately suspend its military operations in and against Gaza." But the court declined to do that. South Africa also asked for Israel to take "reasonable measures" to prevent "genocide" and allow access for desperately needed aid.
The court ruled that Israel must try to limit death and damage as it wages a war against Hamas that began on Oct. 7 when the terror organization invaded Israeli towns bordering the enclave, butchering 1,200 Israelis, including men, women, and children.
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