The International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to take all measures to prevent acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip, but did not call for an immediate ceasefire.

The provisional ruling came in The Hague on Friday after South Africa filed the case in December.

The ICJ also said Israel must take measures to improve the humanitarian situation in the enclave.

South Africa claims Israel is violating the Genocide Convention.

The country asked the court to issue provisional measures for immediately halting the offensive in Gaza, but the request was declined.

The ICJ has no powers of enforcement, and it is not clear if Israel will comply with the order.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the decision as "blatant discrimination" against the Jewish state, and a "vile" attempt to deny his country the right to defend itself.

He went on to say, "We will continue to facilitate humanitarian assistance, and to do our utmost to keep civilians out of harm's way, even as Hamas uses civilians as human shields."

Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki welcomed the ICJ's decision, saying there are "clear legal obligations to stop Israel's genocidal war" on Palestinians.