Israel hits out at ICJ emergency orders for it to step up humanitarian aid

Israel has hit out at an International Court of Justice (ICJ) emergency order for it to step up humanitarian aid, branding it "morally repugnant".

In a filing to the world court made public on Monday, Israel said it "has real concern for the humanitarian situation and innocent lives, as demonstrated by the actions it has and is taking".

"Much like South Aftica's application that instituted the present proceedings, they are wholly unfounded in fact and law, morally repugnant, and represent an abuse both of the Genocide Convention and of the Court itself," read the filing.

The Israeli military onslaught on Gaza has killed at least 31,000 Palestinians since 7 October, while the siege it lays on the small enclave has led to mass starvation. Many experts have branded the destruction a genocide. 

Following an application from South Africa, the ICJ in January delivered an interim ruling calling on Israel to take measures to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza.