Russia has told the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that Israel’s actions in the occupied Palestinian territory are leading to a “crisis of legality and humanity”, Al Jazeera reports.

“Today, we confront the crisis of legality and humanity in light of systematic undermining of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) by Israel and its negligence towards the overall obligations under international law, including those stemming from the status of Israel as an occupying power”, said Maksim Musikhin, speaking on behalf of Russia.

“The urgency of this matter cannot be overstated. Gaza balances on the brink of famine. Hospitals lie in ruins.”

Musikhin warned that with Israel’s total blockade since March 2 and resumed military operations, Gaza continues to endure devastating destruction and a “humanitarian catastrophe of unprecedented scale”.