Rhino: Agencies – South Africa asked the UN’s highest court on Thursday to order a halt to Israel’s attack on the city of Rafah as part of its case accusing Israel of genocide in the Gaza Strip, saying Israel must be stopped to ensure the survival of the Palestinian people.

South Africa asked the court to order Israel to allow UN officials and organizations’ providing humanitarian aid as well as journalists and investigators unhindered access to the Gaza Strip. It added that Israel has so far ignored and violated orders previously issued by the court.

Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, a South African lawyer, said the Israeli military campaign has targeted tens of thousands of children and women, destroyed civilian infrastructure and starved the population.

‘From the beginning, Israel’s intention has always been to destroy Palestinian life and wipe Palestinians off the face of the earth, and Rafah is the last place,’ he said.

Israel is responding to South Africa in court tomorrow (Friday), denouncing its accusation that it is violating the 1949 Genocide Convention and saying the allegations are baseless.