Blinken speaks from Israel as U.S. seeks to prevent wider conflict in the Middle East Israel is facing a trial at the United Nations' International Court of Justice, accused of committing the crime of genocide with its ongoing military operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. On December 29, South Africa became the first country to file a suit against Israel alleging that its operations in Gaza constitute genocide. The case opens Thursday, when South Africa will lay out its allegations. Israel has already blasted the case as "atrocious and preposterous," but will give its first formal response to the...