UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, said on Wednesday that 600,000 people had fled Rafah since the military operation intensified.
“As the primary humanitarian hub for humanitarian assistance into Gaza, if Rafah falls, so does Gaza,” South Africa said in a submission to the court.
“Blocking humanitarian aid can be seen as nothing more than a deliberate end to Palestinian life. Starvation to the point of famine,” lawyer Adela Hassim said in an emotional voice.
Israeli military operations in Gaza were launched in retaliation for Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack, which resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.
The militants also captured about 250 hostages, 128 of whom Israel estimates remain in Gaza, 36 of whom have been killed according to the military.
Israeli forces have launched sustained aerial bombardments and ground attacks inside Gaza, killing at least 35,233 people, mostly civilians, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.