Israel says end of Gaza campaign would leave it defenceless

and render Israel defenceless," the adviser, Tal Becker, told the International Court of Justice (ICJ). "Hamas seeks genocide against Israel," Becker said in response to South African accusations that Israel is committing genocide in its offensive in Gaza, the Palestinian enclave ruled by Islamist group Hamas.

South Africa's demands for an immediate halt of the Israeli military campaign in Gaza would render Israel defenceless, the legal adviser to Israel's foreign ministry said at the opening of the second day of hearings at the top U.N. court on Friday. "The applicant seeks to thwart Israel's inherent right to defend itself... and render Israel defenceless," the adviser, Tal Becker, told the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

"Hamas seeks genocide against Israel," Becker said in response to South African accusations that Israel is committing genocide in its offensive in Gaza, the Palestinian enclave ruled by Islamist group Hamas.