World Court ruling implies ceasefire is essential, South African minister says

Israel will have to halt fighting in the besieged Gaza Strip if it wants to adhere to the orders of the International Court of Justice, South Africa's minister of international relations said on Friday after a ruling by the UN's top court.

The ruling was met with mixed reactions, as Palestinians pointed out it did not equate to an immediate and complete ceasefire.

In the ruling, the case ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide against the Palestinians and do more to help civilians - although it stopped short of ordering a ceasefire.