The U-N’s International Court of Justice has not ordered a ceasefire in Gaza but it’s demanding Israel try to contain death and damage in its military retaliation against Hamas terrorists.

South Africa, which brought the case, had asked for the court to order Israel to halt its operation accusing Israel of genocide.

Instead, the panel of 17 judges has ordered six provisional measures to protect Palestinians in Gaza including humanitarian aid.

The decision was only on the request for provisional measures, not the merits of the genocide charge.

Israel vehemently denies the genocide accusations and has called the case “blood libel.”

Reaction from Israel is expected to be mixed – anger that the the case is proceeding but relief that the court didn’t order Israel to stop its military activity against Hamas in Gaza.

There is growing opposition to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as his approval rating dips below 15 percent.

It could take years for the full case to be considered at the UN’s top court.