The International Court of Justice in The Hague has issued a preliminary ruling in South Africa’s case alleging Israel of genocide, but stopped short of ordering a suspension of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

The United Nation’s highest court today ruled in favour of provisional measures against Israel, with Court President Joan Donoghue expressing deep concern “about the continuing loss of life and human suffering” in Gaza.

She announced the court’s ruling on the provisional measures today.

According to the ICJ, “The State of Israel shall, in accordance with its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, in relation to the Palestinians in Gaza, take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of all acts within the scope of Article II of the Convention.” Those acts include “killing all members of the group,” and “causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group” and “deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction.”

Media liaison with the St. John’s Palestine Action Committee says it’s important that the ruling be upheld.

“This is a very serious ruling” he says, and “our group will continue to push for a cease fire, that is what needs to be done to prevent a genocide that is ongoing in Gaza.”

Meanwhile, protesters will continue a series of rallies in St. John’s this weekend. The rally has moved to Sunday to allow rally attendees to observe International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Saturday.