International Court of Justice (ICJ) in a landmark ruling on Friday ordered Israel to halt all military operation in Rafah.

ICJ said Israel must immediately halt its military offensive, and any other action in the Rafah Governorate, which may inflict on the Palestinian group in Gaza conditions of life that could bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part.

The Court also ordered Israel to keep the Rafah crossing into Gaza for 'unhindered' provision of humanitarian aid.

In its defence, Israel argued before ICJ that the order to stop military activity would give free rein to Hamas extremists and prevent Israel from rescuing hostages.

The ICJ ruling comes hot on the heels of another highly charged decision on Monday by the International Criminal Court prosecutor to seek arrest warrants for top Israeli and Hamas leaders.