Netanyahu blasts ‘genocide’ case and vows to keep fighting
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will "continue to do what is necessary" to defend itself, following a ruling yesterday from the top UN court that harshly criticised Israel's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) stopped short of ordering a ceasefire in Gaza in a genocide case filed by South Africa.
But it demanded that Israel try to contain death and damage in its military offensive.
Mr Netanyahu said the genocide claims were "outrageous" and vowed to press ahead with the war.
"We will continue to do what is necessary to defend out country and defend our people," he said.
The case goes to the core of one of the world's most intractable conflicts, and South Africa had asked the court to order Israel to halt its operation.
In the highly anticipated decision made by a panel of 17 judges, the ICJ decided not to throw out the case and ordered six so-called provisional measures to protect Palestinians in Gaza.
"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.
Yesterday’s decision is only an interim one – it could take years for the full case 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 had 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.
Israel often boycotts international tribunals and UN 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 and likely the fear that any court order to halt operations would be a major blow to the country's international standing.
Israel launched its massive air and ground assault on Gaza after Hamas militants stormed through Israeli communities on October 7 killing some 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and abducting another 250.
The offensive has decimated vast swathes of the territory and driven nearly 85 per cent of its 2.3 million people from their homes.
More than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed, the health ministry in the Hamasrun enclave saidyesterday.
UN officials have expressed fears that even more people could die from disease, with at least one-quarter of the population facing starvation.
Provisional measures 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 out country Benjamin Netanyahu