Israel-Gaza conflict: International court orders Israel to halt offensive

Outrage over attack on tent camp containing thousands of displaced civilians

UN court says Israel must immediately stop military assault

The Hague, Netherlands - Judges at the top United Nations court ordered Israel on Friday to immediately halt its military assault in the Gaza Strip, saying there was evidence of war crimes being committed.

The ruling comes after an attack on Sunday set off a blaze in a tent camp housing thousands of displaced civilians, killing dozens. The incident has sparked international outrage and led to calls for an independent investigation.

In a statement, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) said it had "found that there is a substantial risk that Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip are causing irreparable prejudice to the rights of the Palestinian people."

The court said it had "ordered Israel to immediately cease its military operations and refrain from carrying out any further acts that may cause irreparable prejudice to the rights of the Palestinian people."