THE HAGUE, Netherlands (NEWSnet/AP) — South Africa has accused Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza and pleaded with the United Nations’ top court on Thursday to order an halt to the military operation.

Israel’s lawyers will address the court Friday.

The two-day hearing is one of the most significant to be heard in an international court.

South Africa is seeking binding preliminary orders to compel Israel to stop its military campaign in Gaza, in which more than 23,000 people have died, according to the health ministry which is run by Hamas.

“Genocides are never declared in advance, but this court has the benefit of the past 13 weeks of evidence that shows incontrovertibly a pattern of conduct and related intention that justifies as a plausible claim of genocidal acts,” South African lawyer Adila Hassim told the judges and audience in the Peace Palace in The Hague.

Israel responds that it is battling a fierce enemy in the Gaza Strip that carried out the deadliest attack on its territory, killing more than 1,200 people, since its creation in 1948. Israel says it is following international law and does its utmost to avoid harm to civilians. It blames Hamas for the high toll, saying its enemy embeds in residential areas.

Ahead of the proceedings, hundreds of pro-Israeli protesters marched close to the courthouse with banners saying “Bring them home,” referring to the hostages held by Hamas since it attacked Israel on Oct. 7.

At a separate demonstration nearby, pro-Palestinian protesters waved flags saying: “End Israeli Apartheid Free Palestine” and chanting “Netanyahu criminal” and “Ceasefire now!”

A decision on the request for so-called “provisional measures” will likely take weeks. The case is likely to last years.

While Israel has vehemently denied the allegations, it is unclear whether it will heed any order from the court to halt operations. If it doesn’t, it could face U.N. sanctions, although those may be blocked by a U.S. veto.

The world court, which rules on disputes between nations, has never judged a country to be responsible for genocide.

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