The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is expected to rule this Friday on whether it will grant emergency measures requested by South Africa to stop the genocidal war in Gaza.

The ICJ heard the case by South Africa against Israel and requested provisional measures to stop the carnage in Palestine.

According to a statement from the ICJ, a public sitting will take place at midday at the Peace Palace in the Hague, during which the President of the Court, Judge Joan Donoghue, will read the Court's Order.

On December 29, 2023, South Africa filed an application instituting proceedings against Israel concerning the alleged violation by Israel of its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in relation to Palestine in the Gaza Strip. 

In its application, South Africa also requested the Court to indicate provisional measures to protect Gaza and the people of Palestine against further severe and irreparable harm under the Genocide Convention.

In addition, to ensure that Israel complies with its obligations under the Genocide Convention not to engage in genocide and to prevent and punish genocide,

South Africa also asked the World Court to order an emergency suspension of Israel's devastating military campaign against Palestinians. 

Israel dismissed the genocide allegations as "grossly distorted" and said it had a right to defend itself and was targeting Hamas, not Palestinian civilians.

In the initial ruling, the ICJ will not deal with the main question of whether Israel is committing genocide.

However, it will just look at possible emergency measures, meant as a kind of restraining order, as the court looks at the full case, which usually takes years.