The International Court of Justice has ruled that Israel must halt its military offensive in Rafah in southern Gaza.

South Africa had asked the ICJ to order it as an emergency measure, saying Israel’s actions in Rafah amount to a “genocidal” operation and threaten the survival of the Palestinian people.

The ICJ is the top UN court and can make legally binding rulings in disputes between countries, but has little way of enforcing its orders.

Israel has previously called South Africa's case "wholly unfounded", saying the Rafah offensive is key to defeating Hamas following the 7 October attacks, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 252 were taken to Gaza as hostages.

At least 35,800 Palestinians have been killed in the war since then, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.