UN court stops short of ordering Israeli cease-fire in Gaza

The United Nations’ International Court of Justice in the Netherlands on Friday issued a preliminary decision in a genocide case South Africa brought against Israel. The order called for Israel to prevent the incitement of genocide against Palestinian people and to ensure that humanitarian aid can enter Gaza. The 17 judges did not order a cease-fire as South Africa had requested. Israel rejected the allegations of genocide and earlier this month argued the case should be thrown out.

What have Israel and South Africa said about the decision? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the ruling affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself from attacks like the one carried out on Oct. 7 by Hamas. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa applauded the ruling and said it indicates there is a plausible case of genocide. The decision could open the door for negotiations to end the war, South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor said outside The Hague. The court does not have a way to enforce its ruling and will likely take years to issue a final decision.

Dig deeper: Read Jill Nelson’s interview in WORLD Magazine with a Jerusalem pastor about Islam, the end times, and the mission of the Church.