THE top United Nations court ordered Israel today to immediately halt military operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, but stopped short of ordering a full ceasefire in the devastated territory.

While Israel is unlikely to comply with the order by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), it will ratchet up the pressure on the increasingly isolated country.

Criticism of Israel’s conduct in Gaza has been growing, particularly regarding operations in Rafah — and even from its closest ally, the United States.