https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-genocide-court-south-africa-27cf84e16082cde798395a95e9143c06 Menu AP Logo Menu * World * U.S. * Election 2024 * Politics * Sports * Entertainment * Business * Science * Fact Check * Oddities * Health * Video * Climate * Photography * Spotlight * Tech * Lifestyle * Religion * Press Releases * ... + World o Israel-Hamas War o Russia-Ukraine War o Latin America o Europe o Africa o Middle East o Asia Pacific o U.S. News o Australia o China + U.S. + Election 2024 + Politics o Joe Biden o Election 2024 o Congress + Sports o AP Top 25 College Football Poll o NFL o MLB o NHL o NBA o WNBA o Soccer o Tennis o Golf + Entertainment o Movie reviews o Book reviews o Celebrity o Television o Music + Business o Inflation o Financial Markets o Business Highlights o Financial wellness + Science + Fact Check + Oddities + Health + Video + Climate + Photography + Spotlight + Tech o Artificial Intelligence o Social Media + Lifestyle + Religion + Press Releases [ ] Search Query Submit Search Show Search * World + Israel-Hamas War + Russia-Ukraine War + Latin America + Europe + Africa + Middle East + Asia Pacific + U.S. News + Australia + China * U.S. * Election 2024 * Politics + Joe Biden + Election 2024 + Congress * Sports + AP Top 25 College Football Poll + NFL + MLB + NHL + NBA + WNBA + Soccer + Tennis + Golf * Entertainment + Movie reviews + Book reviews + Celebrity + Television + Music * Business + Inflation + Financial Markets + Business Highlights + Financial wellness * Science * Fact Check * Oddities * Health * Video * Climate * Photography * Spotlight * Tech + Artificial Intelligence + Social Media * Lifestyle * Religion * Press Releases * * [] The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world's population sees AP journalism every day. * * + twitter + instagram + facebook * * The Associated Press + ap.org + Careers + Advertise with us + Contact Us + Accessibility Statement + Cookie Settings + Terms of Use + Privacy Policy * * More From AP News + About + AP News Values and Principles + AP's Role in Elections + AP Leads + AP Definitive Source Blog + AP Images Spotlight Blog + AP Stylebook * * Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Israel-Hamas war Election 2024 Trump to pay additional $83.3 million How genocide became a crime Microsoft Teams outage World News Top UN court orders Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza but stops short of ordering cease-fire The United Nations' top court stopped short Friday of ordering a cease-fire in Gaza in a genocide case but demanded that Israel try to contain death and damage in its military offensive in the tiny coastal enclave. (Jan. 26) Videos 5 Pro-Palestinian activists wave flags during session of the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Israel is set to hear whether the United Nations' top court will order it to end its military offensive in Gaza during a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) On Now 1:27 Top UN court stops short of ordering Gaza cease-fire, demands Israel contain deaths and damage The United Nations' top court stopped short Friday of ordering a cease-fire in Gaza in a genocide case but demanded that Israel try to contain death and damage in its military offensive in the tiny coastal enclave. (Jan. 26) Top UN court stops short of ordering Gaza cease-fire, demands Israel contain deaths and damage The United Nations' top court stopped short Friday of ordering a cease-fire in Gaza in a genocide case but demanded that Israel try to contain death and damage in its military offensive in the tiny coastal enclave. (Jan. 26) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, centre, speaks during the weekly cabinet meeting at the Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday Jan. 7, 2024. (Ronen Zvulun/Pool via AP) On Now 0:54 Netanyahu says genocide claim 'outrageous' after UN court stops short of ordering cease-fire in Gaza Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday rejected genocide claims against Israel as "outrageous" and vowed to press ahead with the war with Hamas. Netanyahu says genocide claim 'outrageous' after UN court stops short of ordering cease-fire in Gaza Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday rejected genocide claims against Israel as "outrageous" and vowed to press ahead with the war with Hamas. [] On Now 1:03 South African FM thanks UN court for taking steps to "protect innocent civilians" in Gaza South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor thanked the International Court of Justice on Friday for taking steps to "protect innocent civilians" in Gaza. South African FM thanks UN court for taking steps to "protect innocent civilians" in Gaza South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor thanked the International Court of Justice on Friday for taking steps to "protect innocent civilians" in Gaza. [] On Now 1:14 AP explains: UN court asks Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza but stops short of ordering cease-fire AP explains: UN court asks Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza but stops short of ordering cease-fire AP explains: UN court asks Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza but stops short of ordering cease-fire AP explains: UN court asks Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza but stops short of ordering cease-fire [] On Now 0:38 WH reacts to UN court's ruling on Israel's war in Gaza National Security Council spokesman John Kirby says the ICJ's ruling on Israel's war in Gaza "is consistent," with many of U.S. positions. (Jan. 26) WH reacts to UN court's ruling on Israel's war in Gaza National Security Council spokesman John Kirby says the ICJ's ruling on Israel's war in Gaza "is consistent," with many of U.S. positions. (Jan. 26) Photos 14 Pro-Palestinian activists react near the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The United Nations' top court has decided not to throw out genocide charges against Israel for its military offensive in Gaza. That is part of a preliminary decision in a case that goes to the core of one of the world's most intractable conflicts. (AP Photo/ Patrick Post) 1 of 14 | Pro-Palestinian activists react near the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The United Nations' top court has decided not to throw out genocide charges against Israel for its military offensive in Gaza. That is part of a preliminary decision in a case that goes to the core of one of the world's most intractable conflicts. (AP Photo/ Patrick Post) Read More 1 of 14 Pro-Palestinian activists react near the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The United Nations' top court has decided not to throw out genocide charges against Israel for its military offensive in Gaza. That is part of a preliminary decision in a case that goes to the core of one of the world's most intractable conflicts. (AP Photo/ Patrick Post) Share Share * Copy Link copied * Email * Facebook * X * Reddit * LinkedIn * Pinterest * Flipboard * Print Read More A Pro-Palestinian activist reacts near the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The United Nations' top court has decided not to throw out genocide charges against Israel for its military offensive in Gaza. That is part of a preliminary decision in a case that goes to the core of one of the world's most intractable conflicts. (AP Photo/ Patrick Post) 2 of 14 | A Pro-Palestinian activist reacts near the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The United Nations' top court has decided not to throw out genocide charges against Israel for its military offensive in Gaza. That is part of a preliminary decision in a case that goes to the core of one of the world's most intractable conflicts. (AP Photo/ Patrick Post) Read More 2 of 14 A Pro-Palestinian activist reacts near the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The United Nations' top court has decided not to throw out genocide charges against Israel for its military offensive in Gaza. That is part of a preliminary decision in a case that goes to the core of one of the world's most intractable conflicts. (AP Photo/ Patrick Post) Share Share * Copy Link copied * Email * Facebook * X * Reddit * LinkedIn * Pinterest * Flipboard * Print Read More Presiding judge Joan Donoghue opens the session at the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Israel is set to hear whether the United Nations' top court will order it to end its military offensive in Gaza during a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide. (AP Photo/ Patrick Post) 3 of 14 | Presiding judge Joan Donoghue opens the session at the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Israel is set to hear whether the United Nations' top court will order it to end its military offensive in Gaza during a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide. (AP Photo/ Patrick Post) Read More 3 of 14 Presiding judge Joan Donoghue opens the session at the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Israel is set to hear whether the United Nations' top court will order it to end its military offensive in Gaza during a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide. (AP Photo/ Patrick Post) Share Share * Copy Link copied * Email * Facebook * X * Reddit * LinkedIn * Pinterest * Flipboard * Print Read More Pro-Palestinian activists wave flags during session of the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Israel is set to hear whether the United Nations' top court will order it to end its military offensive in Gaza during a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) 4 of 14 | Pro-Palestinian activists wave flags during session of the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Israel is set to hear whether the United Nations' top court will order it to end its military offensive in Gaza during a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) Read More 4 of 14 Pro-Palestinian activists wave flags during session of the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Israel is set to hear whether the United Nations' top court will order it to end its military offensive in Gaza during a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) Share Share * Copy Link copied * Email * Facebook * X * Reddit * LinkedIn * Pinterest * Flipboard * Print Read More South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, centre, addresses reporters after session of the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The United Nations' top court has stopped short of ordering a cease-fire in Gaza in a genocide case but demanded that Israel try to contain death and damage in its military offensive in the tiny coastal enclave. South Africa brought the case and had asked the court to order Israel to halt its operation. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) 5 of 14 | South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, centre, addresses reporters after session of the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The United Nations' top court has stopped short of ordering a cease-fire in Gaza in a genocide case but demanded that Israel try to contain death and damage in its military offensive in the tiny coastal enclave. South Africa brought the case and had asked the court to order Israel to halt its operation. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) Read More 5 of 14 South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, centre, addresses reporters after session of the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The United Nations' top court has stopped short of ordering a cease-fire in Gaza in a genocide case but demanded that Israel try to contain death and damage in its military offensive in the tiny coastal enclave. South Africa brought the case and had asked the court to order Israel to halt its operation. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) Share Share * Copy Link copied * Email * Facebook * X * Reddit * LinkedIn * Pinterest * Flipboard * Print Read More South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor addresses reporters after session of the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The United Nations' top court has stopped short of ordering a cease-fire in Gaza in a genocide case but demanded that Israel try to contain death and damage in its military offensive in the tiny coastal enclave. South Africa brought the case and had asked the court to order Israel to halt its operation. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) 6 of 14 | South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor addresses reporters after session of the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The United Nations' top court has stopped short of ordering a cease-fire in Gaza in a genocide case but demanded that Israel try to contain death and damage in its military offensive in the tiny coastal enclave. South Africa brought the case and had asked the court to order Israel to halt its operation. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) Read More 6 of 14 South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor addresses reporters after session of the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The United Nations' top court has stopped short of ordering a cease-fire in Gaza in a genocide case but demanded that Israel try to contain death and damage in its military offensive in the tiny coastal enclave. South Africa brought the case and had asked the court to order Israel to halt its operation. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) Share Share * Copy Link copied * Email * Facebook * X * Reddit * LinkedIn * Pinterest * Flipboard * Print Read More Accompanied with South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, left, Palestinian assistant Minister of Multilateral Affairs Ammar Hijazi addresses reporters after session of the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The United Nations' top court has stopped short of ordering a cease-fire in Gaza in a genocide case but demanded that Israel try to contain death and damage in its military offensive in the tiny coastal enclave. South Africa brought the case and had asked the court to order Israel to halt its operation. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) 7 of 14 | Accompanied with South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, left, Palestinian assistant Minister of Multilateral Affairs Ammar Hijazi addresses reporters after session of the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The United Nations' top court has stopped short of ordering a cease-fire in Gaza in a genocide case but demanded that Israel try to contain death and damage in its military offensive in the tiny coastal enclave. South Africa brought the case and had asked the court to order Israel to halt its operation. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) Read More 7 of 14 Accompanied with South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, left, Palestinian assistant Minister of Multilateral Affairs Ammar Hijazi addresses reporters after session of the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The United Nations' top court has stopped short of ordering a cease-fire in Gaza in a genocide case but demanded that Israel try to contain death and damage in its military offensive in the tiny coastal enclave. South Africa brought the case and had asked the court to order Israel to halt its operation. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) Share Share * Copy Link copied * Email * Facebook * X * Reddit * LinkedIn * Pinterest * Flipboard * Print Read More Pro-Palestinian activists gather near the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The United Nations' top court has decided not to throw out genocide charges against Israel for its military offensive in Gaza. That is part of a preliminary decision in a case that goes to the core of one of the world's most intractable conflicts. (AP Photo/ Patrick Post) 8 of 14 | Pro-Palestinian activists gather near the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The United Nations' top court has decided not to throw out genocide charges against Israel for its military offensive in Gaza. That is part of a preliminary decision in a case that goes to the core of one of the world's most intractable conflicts. (AP Photo/ Patrick Post) Read More 8 of 14 Pro-Palestinian activists gather near the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The United Nations' top court has decided not to throw out genocide charges against Israel for its military offensive in Gaza. That is part of a preliminary decision in a case that goes to the core of one of the world's most intractable conflicts. (AP Photo/ Patrick Post) Share Share * Copy Link copied * Email * Facebook * X * Reddit * LinkedIn * Pinterest * Flipboard * Print Read More British jurist Malcolm Shaw, right, and Gilad Noam, Israel's Deputy Attorney-General for International Affairs attend the session of the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Israel is set to hear whether the United Nations' top court will order it to end its military offensive in Gaza during a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) 9 of 14 | British jurist Malcolm Shaw, right, and Gilad Noam, Israel's Deputy Attorney-General for International Affairs attend the session of the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Israel is set to hear whether the United Nations' top court will order it to end its military offensive in Gaza during a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) Read More 9 of 14 British jurist Malcolm Shaw, right, and Gilad Noam, Israel's Deputy Attorney-General for International Affairs attend the session of the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Israel is set to hear whether the United Nations' top court will order it to end its military offensive in Gaza during a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) Share Share * Copy Link copied * Email * Facebook * X * Reddit * LinkedIn * Pinterest * Flipboard * Print Read More South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandorthe, centre, attends the session of the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Israel is set to hear whether the United Nations' top court will order it to end its military offensive in Gaza during a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) 10 of 14 | South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandorthe, centre, attends the session of the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Israel is set to hear whether the United Nations' top court will order it to end its military offensive in Gaza during a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) Read More 10 of 14 South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandorthe, centre, attends the session of the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Israel is set to hear whether the United Nations' top court will order it to end its military offensive in Gaza during a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) Share Share * Copy Link copied * Email * Facebook * X * Reddit * LinkedIn * Pinterest * Flipboard * Print Read More South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandorthe, centre, attends the session of the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Israel is set to hear whether the United Nations' top court will order it to end its military offensive in Gaza during a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) 11 of 14 | South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandorthe, centre, attends the session of the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Israel is set to hear whether the United Nations' top court will order it to end its military offensive in Gaza during a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) Read More 11 of 14 South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandorthe, centre, attends the session of the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Israel is set to hear whether the United Nations' top court will order it to end its military offensive in Gaza during a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) Share Share * Copy Link copied * Email * Facebook * X * Reddit * LinkedIn * Pinterest * Flipboard * Print Read More Pro-Israel activists gather near the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The United Nations' top court has decided not to throw out genocide charges against Israel for its military offensive in Gaza. That is part of a preliminary decision in a case that goes to the core of one of the world's most intractable conflicts. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) 12 of 14 | Pro-Israel activists gather near the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The United Nations' top court has decided not to throw out genocide charges against Israel for its military offensive in Gaza. That is part of a preliminary decision in a case that goes to the core of one of the world's most intractable conflicts. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) Read More 12 of 14 Pro-Israel activists gather near the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The United Nations' top court has decided not to throw out genocide charges against Israel for its military offensive in Gaza. That is part of a preliminary decision in a case that goes to the core of one of the world's most intractable conflicts. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) Share Share * Copy Link copied * Email * Facebook * X * Reddit * LinkedIn * Pinterest * Flipboard * Print Read More Pro-Israel activists gather near the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The United Nations' top court has decided not to throw out genocide charges against Israel for its military offensive in Gaza. That is part of a preliminary decision in a case that goes to the core of one of the world's most intractable conflicts. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) 13 of 14 | Pro-Israel activists gather near the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The United Nations' top court has decided not to throw out genocide charges against Israel for its military offensive in Gaza. That is part of a preliminary decision in a case that goes to the core of one of the world's most intractable conflicts. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) Read More 13 of 14 Pro-Israel activists gather near the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The United Nations' top court has decided not to throw out genocide charges against Israel for its military offensive in Gaza. That is part of a preliminary decision in a case that goes to the core of one of the world's most intractable conflicts. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) Share Share * Copy Link copied * Email * Facebook * X * Reddit * LinkedIn * Pinterest * Flipboard * Print Read More A view of the Peace Palace, which houses the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Israel is set to hear whether the United Nations' top court will order it to end its military offensive in Gaza during a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) 14 of 14 | A view of the Peace Palace, which houses the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Israel is set to hear whether the United Nations' top court will order it to end its military offensive in Gaza during a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) Read More 14 of 14 A view of the Peace Palace, which houses the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Israel is set to hear whether the United Nations' top court will order it to end its military offensive in Gaza during a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) Share Share * Copy Link copied * Email * Facebook * X * Reddit * LinkedIn * Pinterest * Flipboard * Print Read More By MIKE CORDER and RAF CASERT Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] Share Share * Copy Link copied * Email * Facebook * X * Reddit * LinkedIn * Pinterest * Flipboard * Print THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) -- The United Nations' top court on Friday ordered Israel to do all it can to prevent death, destruction and any acts of genocide in Gaza, but the panel stopped short of ordering Jerusalem to end the military offensive that has laid waste to the Palestinian enclave. In a ruling that will keep Israel under the legal lens for years to come, the court offered little other comfort to Israeli leaders in a genocide case brought by South Africa that goes to the core of one of the world's most intractable conflicts. The court's half-dozen orders will be difficult to achieve without some sort of cease-fire or pause in the fighting. "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," court President Joan E. Donoghue said. AP AUDIO: Top UN court orders Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza but stops short of ordering cease-fire. The president of the International Court of Justice, Joan E. Donoghue, says a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, triggered a major response by Israel. ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR: READ MORE FILE - Palestinians displaced by the Israeli bombardment of the northern Gaza Strip play next to the border with Egypt, in Rafah, southern Gaza, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. Israel and Egypt are engaged in an increasingly public spat over a narrow strip of land between Egypt and Gaza. That strip is the Philadelpi Corridor. The dispute puts Israel in a bind. If it stops its military offensive against Hamas without taking control of the southern Gaza city Rafah on the border with Egypt, it falls short on its top war goal of crushing the Islamic militants. If its military pushes south to the border, it risks undermining its peace deal with Egypt and likely upsetting its closest ally, the United States. The Egypt-Israel peace deal has been a pillar of stability in a turbulent Middle East.(AP Photo/Fatima Shbair, File) Israel vows to fight Hamas all the way to Gaza's southern border. That's fueling tension with Egypt Palestinian medics treat a girl wounded in the Israeli bombardment at a building of an UNRWA vocational training center which displaced people use as a shelter in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Ramez Habboub) Gaza's Health Ministry blames Israeli troops for deadly shooting as crowd waited for aid FILE - Starved prisoner's, nearly dead from hunger, at one of the largest Nazi Concentration camps at Evensee Austria, in the Austrian Alps, May 7, 1945. Many were starving to death and inmates were dying at the rate of 2,000 per week. The camp was reputedly used for 'Scientific' experiments. It was liberated by the 80th Division, U.S. Third Army. (AP Photo, File) How genocide officially became a crime, and why South Africa is accusing Israel of committing it The ruling amounted to an overwhelming rebuke of Israel's wartime conduct and added to mounting international pressure to halt the nearly 4-month-old offensive that has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, decimated vast swaths of Gaza and driven nearly 85% of its 2.3 million people from their homes. Allowing the accusations to stand stung the government of Israel, which was founded as a Jewish state after the Nazi slaughter of 6 million Jews during World War II. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the fact that the court was willing to discuss the genocide charges was a "mark of shame that will not be erased for generations." He vowed to press ahead with the war. The power of the ruling was magnified by its timing, coming on the eve of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. "Those truly needing to stand trial are those that murdered and kidnapped children, women and the elderly," former Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said, referring to Hamas militants who stormed through Israeli communities on Oct. 7 in the attack that set off the war. The assault killed some 1,200 people and resulted in another 250 being kidnapped. The court also called on Hamas to release the hostages who are still in captivity. Hamas urged the international community to make Israel carry out the court's orders. Many of the measures were approved by an overwhelming majority of the judges. Of the six orders, an Israeli judge voted in favor of two -- an order for humanitarian aid and another for the prevention of inflammatory speech. Israeli Judge Aharon Barak said he supported those orders in the hope that they would "help to decrease tensions and discourage damaging rhetoric" while easing the "consequences of the armed conflict for the most vulnerable." Such provisional measures issued by the world court are legally binding, but it is not clear if Israel will comply with them. "We will continue to do what is necessary to defend our country and defend our people," said Netanyahu, who pushed back against the ruling in two languages. In a message aimed at his domestic audience, the tone was more defiant in Hebrew, and he stopped short of overtly criticizing the court in English. The court ruled that Israel must do all it can to prevent genocide, including refraining from harming or killing Palestinians. It also ruled that Israel must urgently get basic aid to Gaza and that the country should punish any incitement to genocide, among other measures. The panel told Israel to submit a report on steps taken within a month. "That's a time that the court could come back and say, 'You have not met the orders. You have not complied. Now we find you are in the midst of committing genocide,'" said Mary Ellen O'Connell, a professor of law and international peace studies at Notre Dame University's Kroc Institute. Friday's decision was an interim ruling. It could take years for the court to consider all aspects of South Africa's genocide allegations. In Israel, commentators said the decision not to order a cease-fire was received with some relief since it helped Israel avoid a collision with a top U.N. body. Palestinians and their supporters said the court took an important step toward holding Israel accountable. The Foreign Ministry of the internationally backed Palestinian self-rule government in the West Bank said the ruling "should serve as a wake-up call for Israel and actors who enabled its entrenched impunity," an apparent reference to the United States, Israel's chief ally. The U.S. repeated its position that Israel must "take all possible steps" to minimize harm to civilians, increase humanitarian aid and curb "dehumanizing rhetoric." "We continue to believe that allegations of genocide are unfounded," the State Department said in a statement. The South African government said the ruling determined that "Israel's actions in Gaza are plausibly genocidal." "There is no credible basis for Israel to continue to claim that its military actions are in full compliance with international law," the government said in a statement. Israel often boycotts international tribunals and U.N. investigations, saying they are unfair and biased. But this time, it took the rare step of sending a high-level legal team -- a sign of how seriously it regards the case. The Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza does not differentiate between combatants and civilians in its death toll, but the agency has said about two-thirds of those killed have been women and children. The Israeli military claims at least 9,000 of the more than 26,000 dead were Hamas militants. U.N. officials have expressed fears that even more people could die from disease and malnutrition, with at least one-quarter of the Gaza population facing starvation. Yuval Shany, a law professor at Hebrew University and senior fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute, said the court's decision was "not as bad as Israel feared it would be" and would not fundamentally alter the way the military conducts the war. "The greatest fear was that the court would ask Israel to stop the war," Shany said, describing the decision as "something that Israel can live with." ___ Casert reported from Brussels. Associated Press writers Josef Federman and Julia Frankel in Jerusalem; Gerald Imray in Cape Town, South Africa; and Jill Lawless and Danica Kirka in London contributed to this report. ___ Follow AP's war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war [] The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world's population sees AP journalism every day. * The Associated Press + ap.org + Careers + Advertise with us + Contact Us + Accessibility Statement + Cookie Settings + Terms of Use + Privacy Policy * More From AP News + About + AP News Values and Principles + AP's Role in Elections + AP Leads + AP Definitive Source Blog + AP Images Spotlight Blog + AP Stylebook Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. * twitter * instagram * facebook [p]