Israel insists it is doing all it can to protect civilians in Gaza and denies genocide charges

Israel denies genocide charges at International Court of Justice, defends military operation in Gaza, while South Africa seeks ceasefire.

Israel strongly denied charges of genocide on May 17, telling the United Nations' top court it was doing everything it could to protect the civilian population during its military operation in Gaza.

The International Court of Justice wrapped up a third round of hearings on emergency measures requested by South Africa, which says Israel's military incursion in the southern city of Rafah threatens the “very survival of Palestinians in Gaza” and has asked the court to order a ceasefire.

Tamar Kaplan-Tourgeman, one of Israel's legal team, defended the country's conduct, saying it had allowed in fuel and medication to the beleaguered enclave.

“Israel takes extraordinary measures in order to minimise the harm to civilians in Gaza,” she told The Hague-based court.

A protester shouting “Liars" briefly interrupted Kaplan-Tourgeman's final remarks. The hearing was paused for less than a minute while security guards escorted a woman from the public gallery.

South Africa told the court on Thursday that the situation in the beleaguered enclave has reached “a new and horrific stage” and urged judges to order a half to Israeli military operations.

The court was holding a third round of hearings on emergency measures requested by South Africa since it first filed its genocide case at the end of last year.