‘Cease-fire’ rejected by Int’l Court

The United Nations’ top court on Friday declined to demand Israel cease its military operations in Gaza but ordered that it take action to prevent acts of genocide in its war against Hamas — an imputation that Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blasted as “outrageous.”

The ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) said Israel must do all it can to limit harming or killing Palestinians and to punish any incitement to genocide.

It also ruled that Israel must urgently get basic aid to the war-torn region and submit a report on steps taken within a month. However, while the ICJ’s decisions are final and without appeal, the court has no way to enforce them.

The case was brought by South Africa, which accused the Jewish state of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention, enacted in the wake of the mass murder of

Jews in the Holocaust.

“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,” ICJ President Joan E. Donoghue said.

Israel had asked the court to reject the case outright, saying it respects international law and has a right to defend itself.

Notably, the top court did reject the fundamental objective South Africa sought — an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.

In a defiant video address following the ruling, Netanyahu (inset) welcomed the decision not to order a cease-fire but fiercely rejected the charge of genocide.

“The vile attempt to deny Israel this fundamental right is blatant discrimination against the Jewish state, and it was justly rejected,” he said.

“The charge of genocide leveled against Israel is not only false, it’s outrageous, and decent people everywhere should reject it.”

The prime minister called its military operation in Gaza a “sacred commitment” to “defend our people.”

“Israel will continue to defend itself against Hamas, a genocidal terror organization,” he said. “Our war is against Hamas terrorists, not against Palestinian civilians.”

More than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s offensive.