"Israel's" invasion of Rafah is the "last step" in destroying Gaza, a lawyer for South Africa told the UN top court today, urging the judges to protect Palestinians. 

Referencing the Israeli invasion of Rafah, Vaughan Lowe told the International Court of Justice(ICJ) that "This is the last step in the destruction of Gaza and its Palestinian people."

"South Africa had hoped, when we last appeared before this court, to halt this genocidal process to preserve Palestine and its people," said top lawyer Vusimuzi Madonsela.

"Instead, Israel's genocide has continued apace and has just reached a new and horrific stage," added Madonsela.

In an effort to persuade judges to impose a ceasefire across Gaza, South Africa launched two days of hearings at the International Court of Justice's Peace Palace in The Hague.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) mandated in January that "Israel" take all necessary steps to stop crimes of genocide and allow humanitarian aid to reach Gaza, a decision that garnered international attention.

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However, the court refrained from imposing a ceasefire, and South Africa maintains that further ICJ action is necessary due to the current circumstances on the ground, particularly the operation in the densely populated city of Rafah.

ICJ holding hearings over extra emergency measures against 'Israel'

The UN International Court of Justice (ICJ) revealed on May 14 that it will begin hearings on South Africa's request for sanctions against the Israeli occupation for its Rafah invasion on May 16-17.

According to the statement, on the 16th and 17th of May, the ICJ will hold public hearings at the Peace Palace in The Hague," on the request filed by South Africa on 10 May 2024 for the indication of additional provisional measures and the modification of provisional measures previously prescribed by the Court in the case concerning Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel)."

Basim Naim, Hamas' head of international affairs, told Sputnik that Egypt's recent backing for South Africa's ICJ lawsuit against "Israel" will encourage other Arab and Islamic nations to follow suit.

This in turn, he stated, will be reflected in the "image of Israel internationally and on the flexibility of Israel not to move freely around in the world."

Amid its continued warmongering on the Strip, the Israeli occupation invaded Rafah despite international rejection. 

Farhan Haq, a spokesperson for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, cautioned during a news conference that an invasion of Rafah "would bring catastrophe on top of catastrophe," particularly for the children residing there, as reported by Anadolu news agency.

South Africa requested on May 10 that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) order the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from Rafah as part of measures to prevent genocide in Gaza in its ongoing lawsuit against "Israel".