Israel will not be deterred from pursuing its war on Hamas, an Israeli government spokesperson said on Thursday ahead of an International Court of Justice decision on South Africa's request for an order to halt military actions in the Gaza Strip.

"No power on Earth will stop Israel from protecting its citizens and going after Hamas in Gaza," the spokesperson, Avi Hyman, told reporters when asked whether Israel would comply with a possible ICJ ruling against it on Friday.

(Writing by Dan Williams)