Top UN court opens hearing to rule on request to order Israel to halt military operation in Gaza

The Hague:The top United Nations court opened a hearing Friday to deliver its decision on a request to order Israel to halt its military operation in Gaza and withdraw from the enclave that has been devastated by more than seven months of war. Israel is unlikely to comply with any such order.

The International Court of Justice has no police to enforce its rulings, even though they are considered legally binding.

South Africa, which accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza, made the request to the court. It says Israeli forces have failed to act on two previous interim orders issued by the court this year aimed at alleviating suffering.

Israel vehemently denies the genocide allegations and insists it is doing all it can to protect civilians as it seeks to defend itself in the wake of the Hamas-led Oct 7 attacks in southern Israel.

The court's president, Nawaf Salam, opened Friday's hearing.