Israel has hit out at what it called an “outrageous” and “morally repugnant” South African plea to the UN’s top court urging new emergency measures in light of “starvation” in Gaza, AFP reports.

In its response published by the court today, Israel lashed South Africa for its “bellicose and offensive tone” and accusations it described as “outrageous and categorically denied.”

Israel said it remained “committed to the observance of its international legal obligations” and had taken several measures to alleviate humanitarian suffering in Gaza.