ISRAEL strongly denied charges of genocide today, telling the United Nations’ top court that it was doing everything it could to protect the civilian population in Gaza.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) 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.