Summary

  • The UN's top court is hearing a response from Israel to South African allegations that its assault on Rafah is an escalation of a campaign of genocide in Gaza

  • It is the second day of two days of hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) with South Africa's lawyers outlining their case on Thursday

  • Israel has said the Rafah offensive is key to defeating Hamas following the 7 October attacks

  • Israel has previously highlighted its "unwavering" commitment to upholding international law and called South Africa's case "wholly unfounded"

  • The ICJ can make legally binding rulings in disputes between countries, but has little way of enforcing its orders

  • This is a live stream-only page, with no text updates. You can watch the proceedings by clicking the play button at the top of this page

Live Reporting

  1. Israel responds to UN's top court

    The UN's top court is hearing a response from Israel to South African allegations that its assault on Rafah is an escalation of a campaign of genocide in Gaza.

    Israel says the offensive is key to defeating Hamas.

    It says false and biased claims based on Hamas sources have been presented to the court in The Hague.

    It is the second day of two days of hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), with South Africa's lawyers outlining their case on Thursday

    South Africa argued on Thursday that Israel must stop its military campaign across Gaza as a matter of extreme urgency - including in Rafah where more than one million displaced Palestinians have sought shelter.

    Watch the proceedings live here by clicking the play button at the top of this page.

  2. Watch court proceedings live

    South Africa is asking the International Court of Justice to order an immediate halt to Israel's incursion in the Rafah area of Gaza.

    There are two days of hearings. South Africa's lawyers outlined its case on Thursday and Israel will respond on Friday.

    Watch the proceedings live here by clicking the play button at the top of this page.