World Court to rule against Israel's barrier, paper reports

1.00pm

LONDON - The World Court will rule today that Israel's West Bank barrier contravenes international law and must be dismantled, Israel's Haaretz newspaper reported.

The paper, quoting documents it had obtained, said the barrier infringed Palestinian rights.

"The construction of such a wall accordingly constitutes breaches by Israel of its various obligations under the applicable international humanitarian law and human rights instruments," Haaretz quoted the documents as saying.

The paper said on its website that 14 out of the 15 judges voted in favour of the ruling, with only American Thomas Buerghenthal dissenting.

Shi Jiuyong of China, the court's head judge, will start reading the ruling at 0100 NZT.

Israel has said it will not accept what is expected to be among the most watched rulings in the 58 years of the World Court, based in The Hague.

The Jewish state says the network of fences, ditches and walls has already improved security, but Palestinians call it a land grab.

- REUTERS