The legal arena is becoming increasingly influential in determining how this conflict is perceived by the rest of the world.
International law has become a vital, neutral framework to aid our understanding of global norms and standards and help us to understand whether they are being met.
The ICJ has no enforcement mechanism, no police or peacekeepers, it relies on cooperation from states.
But the world is watching. A ruling in South Africa's favour will place additional political pressure on Israel to work towards a ceasefire.
It will intensify focus on Israel's international allies to do what they can behind the scenes to find a resolution and guarantee humanitarian assistance gets to where it's needed.
This politically contentious case has resonance around the world and a potentially tangible direct and immediate impact for people on the ground in Israel and Gaza.
A quick reminder that the current conflict in Gaza began when hundreds of members of Hamas crossed from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel on 7 October, killing 1,300 people, mainly civilians, and taking about 240 hostages back to Gaza.
Israel launched a widespread military campaign in the territory in response, vowing to destroy Hamas in the process.
In the months since war broke out, some 26,000 people, mainly women and children, have been killed in Gaza, and more than 60,000 have been injured, according to the Hamas-run health ministry there.
What is today's hearing about?
Anna Holligan
Reporting from The Hague
EPACopyright: EPA
South Africa has accused Israel of violating the UN's 1948 Genocide Convention.
It has requested provisional measures, which would have a similar effect as a restraining order or temporary injunction.
In order to determine whether the legal requirement has been met, 17 judges - 15 permanent justices, plus one each from South Africa and Israel - must answer two questions:
Whether South Africa has met the basic test to show that its claim against Israel is plausible
Whether the Palestinian population in Gaza faces a real and imminent risk of irreparable harm
If the court finds the threshold has been met, then it will decide which if any of the nine provisional measures requested by South should be granted.
The judges are not limited to South Africa's specific requests.
The panel could simply instruct Israel to ensure its military operations comply with international law and to ensure food, water or medical deliveries are reaching civilians.
ICJ to rule on call for Israel to stop military action
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage. Today, the UN's top court could issue emergency measures ordering Israel to halt its military operations in Gaza.
The session of the International Court of Justice(ICJ) is part of a case brought by South Africa alleging that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians.
Both South Africa and Israel testified when the case opened two weeks ago, and today judges will consider South Africa’s request for“provisional measures” against Israel.
Israel has vehemently rejected the allegation. A ruling against it is not enforceable by the court but would be politically significant.
We'll be bringing you the latest developments ahead of the court session at midday, so stay with us.
Live Reporting
Edited by Nathan Williams
All times stated are UK
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images 
EPA-EFE/REX/ShutterstockCopyright: EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock 
EPACopyright: EPA -
Whether South Africa has met the basic test to show that its claim against Israel is plausible
-
Whether the Palestinian population in Gaza faces a real and imminent risk of irreparable harm
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Latest PostThe significance of today’s hearing
Anna Holligan
Reporting from The Hague
The legal arena is becoming increasingly influential in determining how this conflict is perceived by the rest of the world.
International law has become a vital, neutral framework to aid our understanding of global norms and standards and help us to understand whether they are being met.
The ICJ has no enforcement mechanism, no police or peacekeepers, it relies on cooperation from states.
But the world is watching. A ruling in South Africa's favour will place additional political pressure on Israel to work towards a ceasefire.
It will intensify focus on Israel's international allies to do what they can behind the scenes to find a resolution and guarantee humanitarian assistance gets to where it's needed.
This politically contentious case has resonance around the world and a potentially tangible direct and immediate impact for people on the ground in Israel and Gaza.
The 7 October attacks and the war in Gaza
A quick reminder that the current conflict in Gaza began when hundreds of members of Hamas crossed from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel on 7 October, killing 1,300 people, mainly civilians, and taking about 240 hostages back to Gaza.
Israel launched a widespread military campaign in the territory in response, vowing to destroy Hamas in the process.
In the months since war broke out, some 26,000 people, mainly women and children, have been killed in Gaza, and more than 60,000 have been injured, according to the Hamas-run health ministry there.
What is today's hearing about?
Anna Holligan
Reporting from The Hague
South Africa has accused Israel of violating the UN's 1948 Genocide Convention.
It has requested provisional measures, which would have a similar effect as a restraining order or temporary injunction.
In order to determine whether the legal requirement has been met, 17 judges - 15 permanent justices, plus one each from South Africa and Israel - must answer two questions:
If the court finds the threshold has been met, then it will decide which if any of the nine provisional measures requested by South should be granted.
The judges are not limited to South Africa's specific requests.
The panel could simply instruct Israel to ensure its military operations comply with international law and to ensure food, water or medical deliveries are reaching civilians.
ICJ to rule on call for Israel to stop military action
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage. Today, the UN's top court could issue emergency measures ordering Israel to halt its military operations in Gaza.
The session of the International Court of Justice(ICJ) is part of a case brought by South Africa alleging that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians.
Both South Africa and Israel testified when the case opened two weeks ago, and today judges will consider South Africa’s request for“provisional measures” against Israel.
Israel has vehemently rejected the allegation. A ruling against it is not enforceable by the court but would be politically significant.
We'll be bringing you the latest developments ahead of the court session at midday, so stay with us.