The legal advisor to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tal Becker, said at the start of the second day of hearings before the International Court of Justice today, Friday, that "the Israeli military operations in Gaza are acts of self-defense against Hamas and other terrorist organizations."

The advisor added that South Africa presented yesterday, Thursday, a "blatantly distorted narrative," as it accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza during the first day of hearings regarding the case it filed before the International Court of Justice, according to the "Times of Israel" newspaper today, Friday.

He continued, "If there is genocide, it has been committed against Israel."

Becker said that Israel states it is committed to abiding by the law amid the war, adding, "But it does so in the face of Hamas's absolute contempt for the law."

He continued that "the horrific suffering of civilians, both Israeli and Palestinian alike, is the result of Hamas's strategy, while South Africa's demands that Israel stop the war would leave Israel unable to defend itself."

South Africa had said yesterday, Thursday, the first day of the hearings, that Israel is committing "systematic" acts of genocide, citing examples of military violence and statements by Israeli politicians and military officers.

More than 23,000 Palestinians were killed during the Israeli military campaign on Gaza, at least 70% of them women and children, according to health authorities in the Gaza Strip.

South Africa requests in its lawsuit that the judges of the International Court of Justice issue an urgent order to stop the Israeli military action.

The court, based in the Netherlands, which is supposed to resolve disputes between states, will decide on this matter in the coming weeks.

However, procedures related to the main case - the genocide allegations - may take years to reach a verdict.

Israel rejects South Africa's allegations and describes them as baseless.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday, Thursday, that the war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip "fully complies with international law."