The head of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday began reading the initial decision in the case against Israel made by South Africa over alleged genocial acts in Gaza.

The court said that it has jurisdiction to rule over the emergency measures demanded by South Africa. 

The World Court said it would not throw out the case, as Israel requested.

Among the measures South Africa requested is an immediate halt to Israel's military operation, which has laid waste to much of the enclave and killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.

(With input from agencies)