The United Nations International Court has issued an interim ruling ordering Israel to take all possible measures to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza and ensure the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to the region. The case was brought forward by South Africa, which accused Israel of violating the UN Genocide Convention during the ongoing conflict in the area. The ruling, which stopped short of ordering a ceasefire, was seen as a significant rebuke of Israel's conduct in the war, and adds to mounting international pressure to halt the offensive that has resulted in significant Palestinian casualties and displacement.

The court's panel of 17 judges approved six provisional measures, with an Israeli judge voting in favor of two of them, while stopping short of ordering a cease-fire at this stage of the conflict. The court called on Israel to prevent genocide, urgently provide aid to Gaza, prevent and punish any incitement to genocide, and report on measures taken within a month. The South African government welcomed the ruling, advocating for a cease-fire and claiming that Israel cannot effectively implement the ordered measures without it, while Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated his commitment to pressing ahead with the war to defend the country and its people.

The US, Israel's top ally, will play a key role in how the country responds to the court's orders, given its veto power at the UN Security Council. The ruling comes amid a conflict that has resulted in over 26,000 Palestinian deaths according to the Health Ministry in Gaza, and is expected to have significant implications for the ongoing conflict in the region for years to come.