'Israel has genocidal intent in Gaza', says lawyer representing South Africa

Israel's has "genocidal intent against Palestinians in Gaza", the UN's top court has heard.

The claims were made by South African lawyers as they presented their case accusing Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice.

"Israel has subjected Gaza to what has been described as one of the heaviest conventional bombing campaigns in the history of modern warfare", Adila Hassim, representing South Africa, told the court.

Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, a lawyer for the High Court of South Africa, also told the ICJ Israel's intent was evident "from the way in which this military attack is being conducted".

Israel, which will present its defence on Friday, has vehemently rejected the accusations as "baseless".

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