The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday ordered Israel to take measures to prevent and punish "direct incitement of genocide in its war in Gaza."

"The state of Israel shall ... take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of all acts within the scope of Article II of the Genocide convention," the court said.

In a sweeping ruling, a large majority of the 17-judge panel of the ICJ voted for urgent measures which covered most of what South African asked for with the notable exception of ordering a halt to Israeli military action in Gaza.

The court ordered Israel to refrain from any acts that could fall under the genocide convention and also ensure that its troops do not commit any genocidal acts in Gaza.

Palestine welcomes the provisional measures ordered by the ICJ, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said in a televised speech on Friday.

"The ICJ judges assessed the facts and the law, they ruled in favor of humanity and international law," he said. Al-Maliki added that Palestine calls on all states to ensure the measures ordered by the court are implemented "including by Israel, the occupying power."

(Cover: This file photo shows an exterior view of the Peace Palace, which houses the International Court of Justice, in The Hague, Netherlands. /CFP)