In the first response to the order issued today Friday by the International Court of Justice to Israel to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians and to make more efforts to assist civilians, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the genocide charge against Israel in the International Court of Justice is "disgraceful."

He added in a statement in English posted on the social media site "X" that "like every country, Israel has an inherent right to defend itself," adding that Israel will do whatever is necessary.

Netanyahu considered the readiness of the International Court of Justice to discuss genocide allegations against Israel "a stain of shame that will not be erased for generations."

He continued that "the vile attempt to deprive Israel of this basic right is blatant discrimination against the Jewish state, and it has been rightly rejected."

The International Court of Justice had ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians and to make more efforts to assist civilians, although it did not go as far as ordering a ceasefire as requested by South Africa.

South Africa filed the lawsuit at the International Court of Justice earlier this month and requested the imposition of urgent measures to stop the fighting that has claimed the lives of more than 26,000 Palestinians.

South Africa accused Israel of committing genocide crimes led by the state in its attack on the Gaza Strip, which it launched in response to the incursion of Hamas militants into southern Israel, resulting in the killing of 1,200 people and the detention of more than 240 hostages. Israel sought to dismiss the case.

Although the International Court of Justice did not order a ceasefire, it said it would not reject the genocide case and ruled that Palestinians appear to be a group protected under the 1948 Genocide Convention.

The court did not make a decision on the subject of the case, which is genocide accusations.

Israel described South Africa's accusations as false and "grossly distorted," affirming that it is doing its utmost to avoid civilian casualties.