Israeli flag carrier El Al said Friday it will scrap direct flights to South Africa following "a significant fall in demand by Israeli travellers" to the country and other destinations.

"From the end of March 2024, El Al will suspend its operations on the Johannesburg-Tel Aviv route," an El Al statement said.

The announcement came hours before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is to issue an initial ruling on Pretoria's case against Israel over alleged genocidal acts in Gaza.

South Africa's bid at The Hague to compel Israel to stop its Gaza campaign in a landmark genocide case has found support across the developing world from Latin America to Southeast Asia.

Israel has reacted angrily to the case, calling it "absurd", but the South African lawyers sent to argue it have been celebrated at home and online by supporters of the Palestinian cause.

Concern grew on Friday for civilians trapped by fighting around Khan Yunis in Gaza's south, with the top UN court set to rule in a case against Israel over alleged genocidal acts in its campaign against Hamas.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague could order Israel to halt its military action in Gaza, launched in retaliation for Hamas's unprecedented attacks on October 7, although it has little power to enforce its rulings.

Gazing smoulderingly into the camera as he boards a hijacked ship, a young influencer is gaining attention as he promotes a controversial cause: Yemen's Huthi rebels and their attacks in the Red Sea.

Rashed Al-Haddad, 19, has become a minor celebrity for his social media posts, some set to triumphant music and showing him brandishing the red, white and black flag of Yemen, with a large ceremonial dagger thrust into his belt.

The International Court of Justice will hand down a highly anticipated ruling on Friday in South Africa's case against Israel over alleged genocidal acts in Gaza.

Here are some key questions about a case that has drawn global interest:

- Will the court decide whether Israel is committing genocide? -

No. At this stage, the ICJ is only deciding whether to impose emergency orders on Israel ("provisional measures" in the court's jargon).

A ruling on whether Israel is committing genocide in Gaza will be for a second stage of the procedure and is likely to take years.

Indians queuing in long lines for jobs in Israel as the war with Hamas grinds on say the risks to their safety are preferable to hunger at home.

Recruiters are aiming to fill a labour shortage in Israel exacerbated by nearly four months of fighting against Palestinian militants in Gaza.

While India is the world's fifth-largest economy and one of the fastest growing, it has struggled to produce enough full-time and well-paying jobs for millions of people.

The top United Nations court hands down an initial decision on Friday in a case against Israel over alleged genocide in Gaza, a landmark ruling closely watched in the Middle East and around the world.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) could order Israel to stop its military campaign in Gaza, sparked by the October 7 attacks by Hamas, or to facilitate humanitarian aid.

The court will not however pass judgement on whether or not Israel is actually committing genocide in Gaza.

Son Heung-min's South Korea will face Saudi Arabia in a heavyweight last-16 clash at the Asian Cup with Thailand, Jordan, Bahrain and Indonesia also all going through at the end of the group phase Thursday.

South Korea were unconvincing once more as they conceded a 105th-minute equaliser in a madcap 3-3 draw with minnows Malaysia, whose competition was already over going into the game.

Jurgen Klinsmann's side finished runners-up in Group E behind Bahrain, meaning they avoided pre-tournament favourites Japan in the next round in Qatar.

An Israeli actor in the hit Netflix television series "Fauda" vowed Thursday to return to the screen after he was wounded while fighting Hamas militants in Gaza.

Idan Amedi was among a group of soldiers who were seriously wounded in a blast in the Palestinian territory where he was deployed after the war between Israel and Hamas broke out on October 7.

"It's not a scene from Fauda, it's real life," Amedi, dressed in military fatigues, said in a video posted on social media on October 12 amid a call-up of more than 300,000 reservists in Israel.

The United States and Iraq said Thursday they will begin discussions on the future of American and other foreign troops in the country, with Baghdad expecting the talks to lead to a timeline for reducing their presence.

Washington has forces in Iraq as part of the international coalition against the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group, but the country's prime minister -- whose government relies on the support of Iran-aligned parties -- has called for the coalition to leave.