The International Court of Justice heard on Thursday that Israel’s invasion of Gaza had reached a “new and horrific stage” as judges were asked to halt the offensive in Rafah. South Africa is asking the court in The Hague to update earlier orders to Israel to say it must withdraw from Rafah and allow UN officials and investigators to enter Gaza. Vusi Madonsela, South Africa’s ambassador in The Hague, told the court it felt compelled to renew the legal proceedings due to the “continuing annihilation of the Palestinian people”.
