South Africa has accused Israel of stepping up what it called a “genocide” in Gaza at the top UN court, urging the court to order a halt to Israel’s assault on Rafah, AFP reports.

“South Africa had hoped, when we last appeared before this court, to halt this genocidal process to preserve Palestine and its people,” South African Ambassador to the Netherlands Vusimuzi Madonsela told the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

“Instead, Israel’s genocide has continued apace and has just reached a new and horrific stage,” he added.