ICJ 'genocide' verdict: South Africa hails order, Israel calls it outrageous

The top UN court on January 26 stopped short of ordering a ceasefire in Gaza but demanded that Israel try to contain death and damage in its military offensive. South Africa, which filed the ICJ application on December 29 last year, arguing that Israel was in breach of its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention, had asked for the court to order Israel to halt its operation.

The top UN Court court decided not to throw out genocide charges against Israel for its military offensive in Gaza, as part of a preliminary decision in the case.

Reacting to the verdict, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday that the International Court of Justice issued a ruling that is "a victory for international law, for human rights, and above all, for justice".

"The court has concluded that pursuant to Article 9 of the (1948 Genocide) Convention, it has jurisdiction to adjudicate our application. The effect of the order that the ICJ has granted today is that there is a plausible case of genocide. This follows the unprecedented action taken by South Africa to take another country to the International Court of Justice," he said.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called the charges against Israel "outrageous".

Netanyahu said, "The charge of genocide levelled against Israel is not only false, it's outrageous, and decent people everywhere should reject it."

He further said, "On the eve of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, I again pledge as Prime Minister of Israel - Never Again. Israel will continue to defend itself against Hamas, a genocidal terror organization."