THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A continent away from the war in Gaza, South Africa accused Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinians and pleaded with the United Nations’ top court on Thursday to urgently order a halt to the country’s military operation. Israel has vehemently denied the allegations. South African lawyers said during the opening arguments that the latest Gaza war is part of a decadeslong oppression of the Palestinians by Israel. They asked judges to impose binding preliminary orders on Israel, including an immediate halt to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. “Genocides are never declared in advance, but...