In a significant development, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the UN's top court, has ordered Israel to take all necessary measures to prevent genocide against Palestinians in the war-torn enclave of Gaza. However, the court stopped short of calling for an immediate ceasefire, as requested by South Africa.

The ruling came after a hearing held in The Hague, Netherlands, where South Africa accused Israel of violating international laws on genocide. While the ICJ did not order Israel to end its military campaign, the decision represents a blow to Israel's hopes for outright dismissal of the case.

The ICJ's order includes six emergency measures that Israel must implement to limit the death and destruction caused by its military campaign, prevent and punish incitement to genocide, and ensure access to humanitarian aid in Gaza. Israel has also been directed to preserve evidence related to allegations of genocide and report compliance with these measures in a month.

It is crucial to note that the ICJ's decisions are binding, but it lacks the means to enforce them effectively. A similar situation occurred when the court ordered Russia to suspend its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, yet the conflict continues two years later.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office responded defiantly to the ICJ's orders, stating, "Nobody will stop us - not The Hague, not the axis of evil, and not anybody else." Meanwhile, Israel's Judge Aharon Barak, an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor and former president of the country's Supreme Court, voted in favor of curbing incitement to genocide and ensuring aid can reach Gaza.

Although South Africa expressed disappointment that a ceasefire was not ordered, the country's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor believes Israel will have to observe one to comply with the other measures imposed. South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa hailed the ruling as a victory for international law, human rights, and justice.

The Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister, Riyad al-Maliki, expressed gratitude to South Africa for bringing the case to the ICJ and stated that the court had ruled in favor of humanity and international law. Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, also welcomed the court's decision, anticipating further convictions against Israel for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

Legal experts have considered the ICJ's decision as damning, despite not granting all of South Africa's requests. By finding that Israel is "plausibly" violating genocide laws, the court has rebuked not only Israel but also governments worldwide supporting Israel's actions in Gaza.

In the initial hearing, South Africa alleged that Israel's intent was to destroy Palestinians as a group in Gaza and accused its leadership of genocidal intent. Israel vehemently rejected these allegations, asserting that its military operations were conducted in self-defense, targeting Hamas rather than Palestinian civilians.

Although the ICJ's ruling falls short of the ceasefire South Africa sought, it sends a strong message that Israel must prevent genocide, limit destruction, and ensure access to humanitarian aid in Gaza. As the world awaits a final judgment on the genocide case, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains at serious risk of further deterioration.